Best colleges in North Dakota
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in North Dakota9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in North Dakota.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
- 2
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND · Private nonprofit#2 in North Dakota
- Value grade B+ · Top 32%
- 67% graduate
- 3
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND · Public#3 in North Dakota
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 64% graduate
- 4
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND · Public#4 in North Dakota
- Value grade B+ · Top 22%
- 51% graduate
- 5
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND · PublicTop 21% for earnings
- Value grade B+ · Top 25%
- 60% graduate
- 6
Mayville State University
Mayville, ND · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 41% graduate
- 7
Valley City State University
Valley City, ND · PublicTop 21% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- 53% graduate
- 8
Minot State University
Minot, ND · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 45% graduate
- 9
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Value grade B
- 49% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | $10,270 | $11,533 | $54,277 | 47% |
| University of Mary | $17,770 | $24,000 | $60,909 | 67% |
| North Dakota State University | $15,543 | $23,199 | $62,203 | 64% |
| Dickinson State University | $14,092 | $18,442 | $50,720 | 51% |
| University of North Dakota | $18,551 | $22,057 | $63,552 | 60% |
| Mayville State University | $11,456 | $18,585 | $47,828 | 41% |
| Valley City State University | $11,890 | $20,369 | $52,725 | 53% |
| Minot State University | $12,703 | $19,609 | $51,759 | 45% |
| University of Jamestown | $19,567 | $27,000 | $56,621 | 49% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3