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Best Schools in North Dakota

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2023 Best Schools in North Dakota

11 Schools Ranked
$46,306 Average Earnings
$23,327 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Schools in North Dakota ranking. This report analyzed 11 schools in North Dakota to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in North Dakota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
$39,881 Average Earnings
$22,578 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Valley City State University to be the best school for students in North Dakota.

On average, students take out $22,578 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Valley City State University graduates make an average of $39,881 annually.

Read More…

#2

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,404 Average Earnings
$16,840 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Schools in North Dakota list.

Degree recipients from BSC accumulate an average of $16,840 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, BSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,404 during the early year of their career.

Full Bismarck State College Report

#3

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,808 Average Earnings
$28,314 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Mary helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in North Dakota.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,314 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UMary graduates make an average of $55,808 annually.

Full University of Mary Report

$48,201 Average Earnings
$23,435 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $23,435 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Dakota State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,201 during the early year of their career.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Report

#5

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
$51,496 Average Earnings
$25,771 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 11 schools in North Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the # 5 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $25,771 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $591, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UND graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,496 during the early year of their career.

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#6

Rasmussen University - North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota
$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - North Dakota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Dakota ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,604 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - North Dakota graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.

Full Rasmussen University - North Dakota Report

#7

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
$41,257 Average Earnings
$16,451 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, North Dakota State College of Science did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $16,451 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, North Dakota State College of Science graduates make an average of $41,257 annually.

Read full report on North Dakota State College of Science

#8

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
$43,575 Average Earnings
$23,762 Avg Student Debt

Minot State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Dakota ranking.

Degree recipients from MSU accumulate an average of $23,762 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,575 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota
$39,678 Average Earnings
$28,896 Avg Student Debt

Mayville State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in North Dakota list.

Degree recipients from Mayville State University accumulate an average of $28,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mayville State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,678 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Mayville State University

#10

University of Jamestown

Jamestown, North Dakota
$49,749 Average Earnings
$25,886 Avg Student Debt

University of Jamestown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,749 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#11

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota
$43,771 Average Earnings
$25,653 Avg Student Debt

Dickinson State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Dakota ranking.

On average, students take out $25,653 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, DSU graduates make an average of $43,771 annually.

Full Dickinson State University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 11 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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