2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota

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First-year retention rates measure the percentage of first-year students who come back to campus for a second year. This is an indicator of how happy students are generally with their decision to attend that institution as less students decide to drop out or transfer to another school.

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Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	University of North Dakota	84	76.9	1,050 – 1,250	18227	54588	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND Located in Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota’s acceptance rate is 77%. They charge $35 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 71% of students attending the University of North Dakota will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 76.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $18,227 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,588
2	University of Mary	80	78.25	1,090 – 1,290	19225	50191	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota University of Mary Bismarck, ND Although the University of Mary calls North Dakota home and sits along the Missouri River, satellite campuses can be found all over the United States. It also has a study-abroad campus in Rome. In the classroom, students enjoy a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $19,225 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,191
3	North Dakota State University	78.42	94.96	1,010 – 1,210	16461	54312	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Located in Fargo, North Dakota State University accepts 95% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 70% of students attending North Dakota State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.0% Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,461 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,312
4	Bismarck State College	71	86.66	--	10792	50401	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND Located in Bismarck, Bismarck State College accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 42% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 86.7% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,792 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,401
5	Valley City State University	71	99.07	930 – 1,180	13841	45820	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Valley City State University Valley City, ND Found in Valley City, Valley City State University’s acceptance rate is 99% and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 94% of students at Valley City State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and around 35% of students will graduate within four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,841 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,820
6	Dickinson State University	67.44	36.95	900 – 1,110	15490	48628	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Dickinson State University Dickinson, ND Found in Dickinson, Dickinson State University accepts 37% of applicants. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students attending Dickinson State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Dickinson State University, there is a 67% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 11.6% Acceptance Rate 37.0% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $15,490 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,628
7	University of Jamestown	67	88.08	1,010 – 1,210	20897	51151	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota University of Jamestown Jamestown, ND Located in Jamestown, the University of Jamestown accepts 88% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 67%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $20,897 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,151
8	Minot State University	66.48	64.62	970 – 1,180	12349	46214	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Minot State University Minot, ND Based in Minot, Minot State University’s acceptance rate is 65%. Undergraduates have to pay $35 to apply. Approximately 85% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 64.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $12,349 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,214
9	Mayville State University	61	78.25	890 – 1,180	14050	43597	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Mayville State University Mayville, ND Based in Mayville, Mayville State University accepts 78% of applicants. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 76% of students attending Mayville State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Mayville State University, there is a 61% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $14,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,597
10	Turtle Mountain Community College	57	0	--	5730	30931	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt, ND First Year Retention Rate 57 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $5,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,931
11	United Tribes Technical College	30	84.24	--	2541	21254	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, ND Located in Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College accepts 84% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 96% of students at United Tribes Technical College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 30 % Acceptance Rate 84.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $2,541 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $21,254
12	Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College	0	60.05	--	3669	53001	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College New Town, ND First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 60.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $3,669 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,001
13	Sitting Bull College	0	95.81	--	4205	23563	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Sitting Bull College Fort Yates, ND First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 95.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $4,205 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $23,563
14	Trinity Bible College and Graduate School	0	36.22	--	20462	29234	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in North Dakota Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Ellendale, ND First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 36.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,234