2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in North Dakota? Our ranking highlights 25 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed 11 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in North Dakota
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Bismarck State College this year in North Dakota. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Bismarck State College Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,340 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,277 ten years after entry. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Bismarck State College
Out of the 11 schools in North Dakota in this year's value ranking, North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #2 spot. North Dakota State College Of Science is a public school based in Wahpeton, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. North Dakota State College Of Science alumni report median earnings of $50,513 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full North Dakota State College Of Science profile
A rank of #3 makes Valley City State University one of the best values in North Dakota. Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,074. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,725. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Valley City State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jamestown College earned it the #4 place in North Dakota. Located in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,621 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about Jamestown College
Mayville State University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in North Dakota. Set in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,828. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Mayville State University
Minot State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,759 ten years after entry. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Minot State University report
Dickinson State University placed #7 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. This public school is set in Dickinson, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,266. Dickinson State University alumni report median earnings of $50,720 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 37% of those who apply are admitted. More on Dickinson State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,153. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
University Of North Dakota placed #9 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,110. University Of North Dakota alumni report median earnings of $63,552 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants. See the full University Of North Dakota profile
Rasmussen College North Dakota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $28,798. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,080 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Rasmussen College North Dakota
University Of Mary placed #11 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,909. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Mary
Lake Region State College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Get the full Lake Region State College report
Turtle Mountain Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full Turtle Mountain Community College profile
Lynnes Welding Training placed #14 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. Read more about Lynnes Welding Training
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks landed the #15 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks
Josefs West Academy ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Josefs West Academy report
Fort Berthold Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Fort Berthold Community College
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #18 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. Read more about Dakota College At Bottineau
Cankdeska Cikana Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. More on Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Trinity Bible College placed #20 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. Read the full report on Trinity Bible College
Sitting Bull College landed the #21 spot for value in North Dakota this year. See the full Sitting Bull College profile
Williston State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Williston State College report
The Hair Academy
The Hair Academy came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The Hair Academy
United Tribes Technical College placed #24 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. See the full United Tribes Technical College profile
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo placed #25 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in North Dakota. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 11 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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