Best Value Colleges in North Dakota

Best Value Schools for a degree in North Dakota

Here are the most affordable colleges in North Dakota. We have sorted our list based on the average cost of attendance after financial aid is factored in. In-state tuition is used for public universities.

  1. Minot State University

    Minot State University is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Minot, ND. It has an enrollment of 2,248 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 88.38%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,993.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1055.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 20.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,565
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,649
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,829
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $48,667
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,666
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,829
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,823
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,909
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568

    Minot State University School Spirit

    Minot State University has a strong school spirit with a wide range of activities and events that encourage school pride among students, alumni, staff, and faculty members. The university hosts several sports teams, including football, basketball, track and field, and volleyball, which often draw large crowds of fans to the games. The university also holds several other events, competitions, and festivals throughout the academic year, such as homecoming, spring fest, international week, and many more, providing ample opportunities for students to express their school spirit. Additionally, the university actively encourages student participation in various clubs and organizations, such as the Student Government Association, Greek Life, Volunteer Network, and more, which further promotes school spirit and pride.

    Learn more about Minot State University

  2. Dickinson State University

    Dickinson State University is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Dickinson, ND. It has an enrollment of 1,166 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 99.35%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,557.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1014.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 19.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agriculture, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,748
    • Data Processing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,696
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,621
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,789
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,597
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,123

    Dickinson State University School Spirit

    Dickinson State University has a strong sense of school spirit. The university community prides itself on its supportive atmosphere, where students, faculty, and staff work together to create a positive and engaged campus culture. The university hosts a range of on-campus events throughout the academic year, including sporting events, music and arts performances, and cultural celebrations, which foster a sense of community and pride. Many students at Dickinson State University are active in extracurricular activities, which provide opportunities to build relationships and develop leadership skills while contributing to the university community. Overall, school spirit is an important part of life at Dickinson State University, and students are encouraged to participate and get involved in campus activities.

    Learn more about Dickinson State University

  3. University of North Dakota

    University of North Dakota is a four-year, medium full-time , selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Grand Forks, ND. It has an enrollment of 8,998 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 89.03%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,424.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1154.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 23.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,914
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,547
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $54,661
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $47,113
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,992
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $46,673
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,365
    • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,325
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,460
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,608
    • Petroleum Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,762
    • Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,193
    • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $53,108
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,133
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,208
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,870
    • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,918
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,439
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $51,273
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,711
    • Security Science and Technology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
    • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $59,417
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Air Transportation. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,368
    • Air Transportation. (Master’s Degree) – $38,337
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $101,645
    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,608
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $59,011
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $67,660
    • Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,437
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $107,376
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,209
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,571
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,133
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,529
    • Human Resources Management and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,849
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,240

    University of North Dakota School Spirit

    The University of North Dakota has a strong school spirit, with a variety of events and traditions that encourage student engagement and loyalty to the university. The university has a mascot named “Fighting Hawks” and numerous sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I. The student body also hosts various events such as homecoming week, pep rallies, and game-day tailgating parties. Additionally, the university has a marching band, cheerleading squad, and dance team that perform at athletic events. Overall, there is a sense of pride and enthusiasm among UND students, particularly when it comes to the school’s athletic programs.

    Learn more about University of North Dakota

  4. North Dakota State University-Main Campus

    North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Fargo, ND. It has an enrollment of 9,932 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 95.46%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,692.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1151.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 23.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,270
    • Agricultural Mechanization. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Agricultural Production Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,415
    • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,856
    • Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,213
    • Natural Resources Management and Policy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,954
    • Natural Resources Management and Policy. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $47,963
    • Landscape Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,682
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,133
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $58,866
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $49,827
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $45,852
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,747
    • Agricultural Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,556
    • Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,828
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,401
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,409
    • Construction Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,417
    • Industrial Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,576
    • Manufacturing Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $43,240
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Apparel and Textiles. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,909
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,693
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,329
    • Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,091
    • Zoology/Animal Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,816
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,529
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,423
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,526
    • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,080
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,000
    • Homeland Security. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,941
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,267
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,625
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,312
    • Music. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,858
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,179
    • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $117,751
    • Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $55,964
    • Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,134
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,397
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Doctoral Degree) – $101,072
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,128
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $55,964
    • Business/Corporate Communications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,539
    • Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,089
    • Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,776
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,666
    • Construction Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,865
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848

    North Dakota State University-Main Campus School Spirit

    North Dakota State University (NDSU) is known for its strong school spirit. The university has a reputation for being a tight-knit community where people are passionate about their Bison football team. The student section at Bison football games is always packed, and the university offers a wide range of activities and events to help students get involved and show their school spirit. NDSU also has a strong alumni network, which helps to keep the school spirit alive long after graduation. Overall, if you’re looking for a university with a strong sense of community and school spirit, NDSU is definitely one to consider.

    Learn more about North Dakota State University-Main Campus

  5. University of Mary

    University of Mary is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Bismarck, ND. It has an enrollment of 2,185 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 78.79%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $18,859.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $63,997
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,641
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $94,408
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,359
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $60,230

    University of Mary School Spirit

    The University of Mary is known for its strong school spirit. The students at the University of Mary take immense pride in representing their school, and the vibrant campus community creates a sense of belonging and pride in being a Marauder. The University of Mary offers a variety of events and activities to promote school spirit, including homecoming events, pep rallies, club and organization activities, and athletics events. Overall, school spirit is a major aspect of student life at the University of Mary.

    Learn more about University of Mary