Best small colleges in North Dakota
Colleges with fewer than 2,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best small colleges in North Dakota4 schools
4 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in North Dakota.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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
Mayville State University
Mayville, ND · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- 963 undergraduates
- 41% graduate
- 3
Valley City State University
Valley City, ND · PublicTop 21% for low net price
- 1,628 undergraduates
- 53% graduate
- 4
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- 964 undergraduates
- 49% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson State University | $14,092 | $18,442 | $50,720 | 51% |
| Mayville State University | $11,456 | $18,585 | $47,828 | 41% |
| Valley City State University | $11,890 | $20,369 | $52,725 | 53% |
| 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 10
- Arizona 8
- Arkansas 13
- California 63
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 10
- Florida 27
- Georgia 24
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 25
- Indiana 20
- Iowa 23
- Kansas 18
- Kentucky 18
- Louisiana 8
- Maine 11
- Maryland 13
- Massachusetts 31
- Michigan 23
- Minnesota 19
- Mississippi 8
- Missouri 31
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 12
- New Hampshire 7
- New Jersey 18
- New Mexico 7
- New York 55
- North Carolina 34
- Ohio 58
- Oklahoma 11
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 69
- Puerto Rico 31
- South Carolina 19
- South Dakota 5
- Tennessee 24
- Texas 31
- Utah 7
- Vermont 4
- Virginia 30
- Washington 12
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 15