Best Colleges in North Dakota

The higher education experts at BestColleges reviewed the top 4-year colleges in North Dakota. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
Jennifer Lee
By
Updated October 30, 2024
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The North Dakota Department of Labor Market Information (NDLMI) projects that employment in the state will increase by 11.4% from 2016 to 2026, adding roughly 55,000 new positions. In addition to this strong overall economic growth, certain industries will likely experience even more rapid expansion. For example, the NDLMI projects that the field of healthcare and social assistance will grow by close to 20% in the coming years, accounting for more than 11,600 of the state’s new jobs.

The most lucrative professional opportunities in North Dakota typically require at least some kind of postsecondary education. For example, in 2018, dental hygienists in the state earned an annual mean wage of $72,580, approximately $23,000 more than the average of all other occupations. That same year, computer network architects in North Dakota made an average of $72,580. To qualify for these types of roles, you generally need either an associate or bachelor’s degree.

A college education can give you a competitive edge in the job market. To help you decide which school to attend, we have compiled a ranking of the best colleges in North Dakota. For each of the institutions on this list, we provide information on elements such as admission standards, the types of degrees and majors available, online learning options, and financial aid opportunities.

Each of the colleges on this ranking holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

In this Article
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Best Accredited Colleges in North Dakota

#1

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

14,172

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,856

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,856

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

14,172

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Minot State University

Minot, ND2 yearCampus + Online

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

72%

Acceptance Rate

61%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,352

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,352

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

2,741

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,168

Minot, ND2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,168

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

61%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,352

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,352

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

2,741

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$9,309

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,963

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

96%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,585

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,377

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

11,952

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,309

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,963

Fargo, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,309

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,963

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,585

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,377

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

11,952

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Jamestown

Jamestown, ND2 yearCampus + Online

$23,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,128

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,128

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,131

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,400

Jamestown, ND2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,400

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

28%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,128

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,128

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,131

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

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