2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in North Dakota

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	University of Mary	2650	78.25	1,090 – 1,290	19225	50191	#1 2026 Best Colleges 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. Undergraduates 2,650 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
2	University of North Dakota	11033	76.9	1,050 – 1,250	18227	54588	#2 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 11,033 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
3	North Dakota State University	9762	94.96	1,010 – 1,210	16461	54312	#3 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 9,762 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	University of Jamestown	1049	88.08	1,010 – 1,210	20897	51151	#4 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 1,049 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
5	Trinity Bible College and Graduate School	144	36.22	--	20462	29234	#5 2026 Best Colleges in North Dakota Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Ellendale, ND Undergraduates 144 Acceptance Rate 36.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,234
6	Valley City State University	1651	99.07	930 – 1,180	13841	45820	#6 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 1,651 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
7	Minot State University	2499	64.62	970 – 1,180	12349	46214	#7 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 2,499 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
8	Mayville State University	963	78.25	890 – 1,180	14050	43597	#8 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 963 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
9	Dickinson State University	1339	36.95	900 – 1,110	15490	48628	#9 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 1,339 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
10	Turtle Mountain Community College	688	0	--	5730	30931	#10 2026 Best Colleges in North Dakota Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt, ND Undergraduates 688 Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $5,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,931