By the numbers, each college and university in North Dakota is achieving its goals. At Bismarck State University, 97% of its graduates either advance to post-graduate school or are employed.
At the University of North Dakota, faculty educate their students so that, once they graduate, they will be leaders in their communities and careers. Students who need an online option will find it here.
Dickinson State University also uses numbers to express its excellence to students. For instance, it has a 10:1 student to faculty ratio; per-semester tuition for North Dakota residents is well under $3,500; and this small college has a total of 1,392 students enrolled in its educational programs.
At North Dakota State University, students can choose from more than 100 undergraduate majors, 86 master’s degrees and 50 doctoral degrees. This means you have a wide range of choices.
Minot State University offers business, education, health sciences, arts and sciences, interdisciplinary programs and graduate school majors. Again, you’ll have a full menu of choices.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in North Dakota?
Earning a degree in North Dakota can open doors to lucrative career opportunities. The state's robust job market and growing industries offer promising prospects for graduates across various fields. University of North Dakota alumni with bachelor's degrees earn a median salary of $54,700 ten years after graduation.
North Dakota's universities provide quality education and practical experience, preparing students for success in their chosen careers. Civil engineering graduates, for example, can expect competitive salaries due to the state's infrastructure development needs. Your degree from a North Dakota institution equips you with valuable skills and knowledge sought after by employers.
The state's focus on industries like energy, agriculture, and technology creates diverse job opportunities for graduates. Your education in North Dakota not only provides academic credentials but also connects you to a network of professionals and potential employers. By choosing to study in North Dakota, you position yourself for a rewarding career with strong earning potential.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Top 5 Best Associate Degree Programs in North Dakota
Bismarck State College
Score: 88.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,195
- Out-of-State:$7,279
- Net Price: $11,309
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,771
- Undergrad Students: 3,771
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Score: 78.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,715
- Out-of-State:$12,715
- Net Price: $17,412
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 496
- Undergrad Students: 467
- Graduate Students: 29
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
North Dakota State College of Science
Score: 72.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,928
- Out-of-State:$6,926
- Net Price: $11,419
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 2,942
- Undergrad Students: 2,942
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $46,200
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Dakota College at Bottineau
Score: 68.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,347
- Out-of-State:$7,613
- Net Price: $9,946
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 1,080
- Undergrad Students: 1,080
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,300
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Lake Region State College
Score: 66.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,478
- Out-of-State:$5,478
- Net Price: $10,765
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 1,679
- Undergrad Students: 1,679
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,500
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Top 10 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Dakota
Bismarck State College
Score: 79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,195
- Out-of-State:$7,279
- Net Price: $11,309
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,771
- Undergrad Students: 3,771
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Mary
Score: 75.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,468
- Out-of-State:$21,468
- Net Price: $18,369
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,652
- Undergrad Students: 2,506
- Graduate Students: 1,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Minot State University
Score: 75.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,634
- Out-of-State:$8,634
- Net Price: $12,360
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,777
- Undergrad Students: 2,530
- Graduate Students: 247
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
North Dakota State University
Score: 75.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,857
- Out-of-State:$15,511
- Net Price: $15,962
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 12,242
- Undergrad Students: 10,096
- Graduate Students: 2,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of North Dakota
Score: 73.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,951
- Out-of-State:$15,570
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Valley City State University
Score: 71.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,514
- Out-of-State:$13,478
- Net Price: $12,164
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 1,658
- Undergrad Students: 1,521
- Graduate Students: 137
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Jamestown
Score: 70.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,820
- Out-of-State:$24,820
- Net Price: $19,950
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 1,242
- Undergrad Students: 978
- Graduate Students: 264
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Score: 70.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,715
- Out-of-State:$12,715
- Net Price: $17,412
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 496
- Undergrad Students: 467
- Graduate Students: 29
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Score: 68.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,762
- Out-of-State:$18,762
- Net Price: $15,628
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 289
- Undergrad Students: 170
- Graduate Students: 119
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Dickinson State University
Score: 66.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,118
- Out-of-State:$11,218
- Net Price: $14,971
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 1,473
- Undergrad Students: 1,411
- Graduate Students: 62
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Top 10 Best Master's Programs in North Dakota
Minot State University
Score: 76.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,634
- Out-of-State:$8,634
- Net Price: $12,360
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,777
- Undergrad Students: 2,530
- Graduate Students: 247
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
North Dakota State University
Score: 75.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,857
- Out-of-State:$15,511
- Net Price: $15,962
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 12,242
- Undergrad Students: 10,096
- Graduate Students: 2,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Mary
Score: 75.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,468
- Out-of-State:$21,468
- Net Price: $18,369
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,652
- Undergrad Students: 2,506
- Graduate Students: 1,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of North Dakota
Score: 74.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,951
- Out-of-State:$15,570
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Valley City State University
Score: 72.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,514
- Out-of-State:$13,478
- Net Price: $12,164
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 1,658
- Undergrad Students: 1,521
- Graduate Students: 137
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Score: 70.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,715
- Out-of-State:$12,715
- Net Price: $17,412
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 496
- Undergrad Students: 467
- Graduate Students: 29
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Jamestown
Score: 70.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,820
- Out-of-State:$24,820
- Net Price: $19,950
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 1,242
- Undergrad Students: 978
- Graduate Students: 264
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Score: 69.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,762
- Out-of-State:$18,762
- Net Price: $15,628
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 289
- Undergrad Students: 170
- Graduate Students: 119
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Dickinson State University
Score: 67.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,118
- Out-of-State:$11,218
- Net Price: $14,971
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 1,473
- Undergrad Students: 1,411
- Graduate Students: 62
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Mayville State University
Score: 66.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,935
- Out-of-State:$9,564
- Net Price: $14,347
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 1,123
- Undergrad Students: 1,077
- Graduate Students: 46
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Scholarships for North Dakota College Students
Scholarships and grants are absolute lifesavers for college students who have a demonstrated financial need. Students don’t have to repay grants unless they have special conditions attached to them. Conditions may include working in an underserved population for a set number of years as a way of “repaying” the grant funds without having to make actual cash payments. Scholarships are funds intended only for education and education-related materials, such as books and supplies. They, too, don’t have to be repaid. Obtaining grants and scholarships can often mean the difference between completing a college education or having to drop out.
UNDA
University of North Dakota Aerospace Undergraduate Scholarship
The North Dakota Space Grant provides scholarships to outstanding students who are attending public, two-year and four-year universities in North Dakota These scholarships are designed for STEM-majoring students (STEM is “science, technology, engineering and mathematics”). These degrees support NASA research and technology needs and are awarded for fall and spring semesters.
Interested students who are majoring in a STEM field should contact the financial aid office at their university. They will be required to obtain one letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Students should also fill out and submit the application form to the Office of Financial Aid. Students from Lake Region State College should submit a one-page essay about themselves and their current and future educational goals and how they relate to this scholarship.
MSUH
Minot State University Honor Scholarships
Minot State University awards several scholarships for freshman honor students and transfer students. These awards are made based on high school GPA, ACT and SAT scores. The higher the entrance exam scores and GPAs, the higher the scholarship amounts will be. For instance, an incoming student with a GPA between 3.50 and 4.00, an ACT of 30+ and an SAT between 1280 and 2210 may receive a renewable scholarship award of $2,500. Students with a GPA between 3.00 and 3.49, an ACT of 18-19 and an SAT of 1270 to 1380 will receive a one-year only award of $500.
VTC
Varsity Tutors College Scholarship
Contest At the University of Mary, Varsity Tutors schedules a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest. Competing students write an essay in response to the prompt-of-the-month. Each entry is reviewed by the Varsity Tutors at the end of the month. The winning student will be chosen to receive a $1,000 college scholarship.
North Dakota State University has a guaranteed awards program that is similar to Minot State University’s program. First-year students with high ACT scores (above 32) and high SAT scores (1420+) who also have high GPAs will win freshmen award scholarships. The GPA is unweighted. The higher the GPA and entrance exam scores, the higher the award will be.
For instance, an incoming freshman with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, an ACT of more than 32 and an SAT of more than 1420 will be awarded $3,000 per year, for four years, for a total of $12,000 cumulative.
A student with an ACT of 29 to 31 and an ACT of 1330 to 1410 and a 3.5 GPA will will $2,500 per year for four years (a total of $10,000 cumulative).
A student with a GPA of more than 3.0, an ACT of 22 to 24 and an SAT of 1020 will win a one-time award of $2,000.
Incoming students to NDSU who have an ACT of 22 or higher and an SAT equivalent to 1100, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible to compete for named scholarships. They should be admitted to NDSU to apply; but they can review criteria before applying to NDSU. Some of these scholarships include:
AG Dean’s Freshman Scholarship. Award total varies; it is available to incoming freshmen who are enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources.
The Albert and Celeste Brauer Scholarship, with a varying award total, is awarded to current or incoming freshmen who are in good standing. To be considered, these students should have either the maiden name or surname of Brauer.
The Annexstad Family Foundation Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship is awarded to students with a demonstrated financial need. Students should demonstrate exceptional potential for leadership within their chosen field after they complete their undergraduate studies. It is open to students in all majors and the award amount will vary. Every student who wants to qualify for this scholarship should be able to show that they have persevered through a family or personal hardship. As an example of a “personal hardship,” the student may suffer from a physical disability, severe illness or injury, severe poverty or they may have been victimized by a serious crime. A serious hardship may also include loss of one or both parents, substance abuse, foster care or physical abuse.
The Charles and Bonnie Ulmer Leadership Scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman student who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities.
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