Best Colleges in North Dakota by ROI
Trying to find the best value in North Dakota? We ranked all 9 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. North Dakota State University-Main Campus comes out on top at 80/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 9 North Dakota colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 61/100, on an average net price of $15,659 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is North Dakota State University-Main Campus at 80/100.
Graduates of University of North Dakota earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $63,552. The lightest price tag belongs to Mayville State University at $11,456 a year. The list below ranks every North Dakota college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 9 North Dakota Colleges by ROI Score
- 1North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND · PublicNet price$15,543/yrMedian earnings$62,20380ROI
- 2University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND · PublicNet price$18,551/yrMedian earnings$63,55277ROI
- 3University of MaryBismarck, ND · Private NonprofitNet price$17,770/yrMedian earnings$60,90976ROI
- 4Valley City State UniversityValley City, ND · PublicNet price$11,890/yrMedian earnings$52,72567ROI
- 5Minot State UniversityMinot, ND · PublicNet price$12,703/yrMedian earnings$51,75963ROI
- 6Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND · PublicNet price$14,092/yrMedian earnings$50,72062ROI
- 7University of JamestownJamestown, ND · Private NonprofitNet price$19,567/yrMedian earnings$56,62155ROI
- 8Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND · PublicNet price$11,456/yrMedian earnings$47,82852ROI
- 9Trinity Bible College and Graduate SchoolEllendale, ND · Private NonprofitNet price$19,359/yrMedian earnings$35,60418ROI
North Dakota College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in North Dakota?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has the highest ROI score in North Dakota at 80/100, while the lowest net price among North Dakota schools we track is $11,456/year at Mayville State University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in North Dakota?
The average net price across the 9 North Dakota colleges in our dataset is $15,659 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which North Dakota college has the highest graduate earnings?
University of North Dakota reports the highest median earnings among North Dakota schools we scored, at $63,552 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in North Dakota did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 9 colleges in North Dakota on return on investment. Of those, 6 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All North Dakota Schools by ROI Score
9 schools
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo, ND
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND
Valley City State University
Valley City, ND
Minot State University
Minot, ND
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND
Mayville State University
Mayville, ND
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Ellendale, ND
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release