Best test-optional colleges in North Dakota
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in North Dakota7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in North Dakota.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions data).
- 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
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND · Private nonprofit#2 in North Dakota
- SAT or ACT not required
- 67% graduate
- 2
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND · Public#3 in North Dakota
- SAT or ACT not required
- 64% graduate
- 3
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND · Public#4 in North Dakota
- SAT or ACT not required
- 51% graduate
- 4
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND · PublicTop 21% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 60% graduate
- 5
Valley City State University
Valley City, ND · PublicTop 21% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 53% graduate
- 6
Minot State University
Minot, ND · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 45% graduate
- 7
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 49% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34