Best colleges for education in North Dakota

    North Dakota State University ranks first in North Dakota for education value (#91 nationally, value score 69.6): graduates earn $52,339 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $15,636 a year.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition · Source: College Scorecard field of study, reporting year 2025 · 6 North Dakota colleges ranked · Updated November 4, 2026

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    Best education colleges in North Dakota

    North Dakota State University ranks first in North Dakota for education value (#91 nationally, value score 69.6): graduates earn $52,339 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $15,636 a year. 6 North Dakota colleges qualify. At the median one, education graduates earn $46,987 and the average net price is $14,692 a year.

    Source: U.S. College Scorecard field of study, 2025

    What the data shows

    Key findings

    • 6 North Dakota colleges qualify. At the median one, education graduates earn $46,987 and the average net price is $14,692 a year.
    • The lowest average net price among them is at Minot State University: $11,490 a year.
    Median earnings
    $46,987
    National: $48,822
    Median net price
    $14,692
    National: $17,201
    Median federal debt
    $21,447
    education graduates
    Public colleges
    5 of 6
    in this list

    6 colleges

    The North Dakota ranking

    Ordered by the national value score; the national rank is shown with each college. Earnings are medians 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    1. Rank in North Dakota 1

      North Dakota State University

      Fargo, ND · Public · #91 nationally

      69.6Value
      Earnings
      $52,339
      Net price
      $15,636
      Federal debt
      $19,500
      Graduation rate
      65%
    2. Rank in North Dakota 2

      Valley City State University

      Valley City, ND · Public · #178 nationally

      57.7Value
      Earnings
      $48,841
      Net price
      $13,748
      Federal debt
      $18,500
      Graduation rate
      50%
    3. Rank in North Dakota 3

      Mayville State University

      Mayville, ND · Public · #348 nationally

      41.4Value
      Earnings
      $47,852
      Net price
      $13,637
      Federal debt
      $25,960
      Graduation rate
      39%
    4. Rank in North Dakota 4

      University of North Dakota

      Grand Forks, ND · Public · #358 nationally

      40.5Value
      Earnings
      $45,955
      Net price
      $18,131
      Federal debt
      $22,209
      Graduation rate
      61%
    5. Rank in North Dakota 5

      Minot State University

      Minot, ND · Public · #361 nationally

      40.1Value
      Earnings
      $45,941
      Net price
      $11,490
      Federal debt
      $24,747
      Graduation rate
      45%
    6. Rank in North Dakota 6

      University of Mary

      Bismarck, ND · Private nonprofit · #365 nationally

      39.6Value
      Earnings
      $46,121
      Net price
      $23,020
      Federal debt
      $20,684
      Graduation rate
      66%

    Method: the same value score as the national education ranking (earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate, each a national percentile). Data: College Scorecard, reporting year 2025; 2026–27 edition, verified Nov 2026.

    Questions about education colleges in North Dakota

    What are the best colleges for education in North Dakota?

    By CollegesRef value score, the top 3 North Dakota colleges for education are North Dakota State University (value score 69.6), Valley City State University (value score 57.7) and Mayville State University (value score 41.4). The score weighs graduate earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate.

    Which North Dakota college has the highest earnings for education graduates?

    North Dakota State University: its education graduates have median earnings of $52,339 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    What is the most affordable education college in North Dakota on this list?

    Minot State University has the lowest average net price of the ranked North Dakota colleges, $11,490 a year after grants. A family's own price depends on income and aid.

    How many North Dakota colleges are ranked for education?

    6 North Dakota colleges have a education bachelor's program with enough graduates and reported earnings, plus a published net price and graduation rate. Ranks shown are national; the state rank is their order within North Dakota.