Williston State College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 41% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,017 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $5,932 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 651
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 42.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $42.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $42.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $971,952.
What The Data Says
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A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 41% — 29% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.23% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $42.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Williston State College Matters
Williston State College is a public community college in Williston, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 651
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose Williston State College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $5,932 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,017 ten years after enrolling — 8% above the typical college, against $10,099 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 8% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Williston State College is a good fit for students who appreciate a close-knit environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented programs. With an enrollment of 651, the college offers a range of studies in Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, as well as Mechanic & Repair Tech and Precision Production. The smaller size allows for more personalized attention from faculty, which can make a significant difference in the learning experience.
When it comes to what life looks like after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $44,017 within ten years of completing their degree. This amount reflects a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordability of the college. With a net price of about $5,932 after financial aid, students are less burdened by debt, which is an important factor for many. The median debt stands at $10,099, making it manageable for graduates to start their careers without overwhelming financial strain.
The bottom line is that Williston State College remains an accessible option for those looking to enter the workforce quickly and affordably. With 21% of students receiving Pell Grants, financial support is available for those who qualify. This supportive environment tends to attract motivated individuals who thrive when given the chance to engage deeply with their chosen fields. Overall, the college can be a stepping stone to a successful career without the weight of excessive debt.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Williston State College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Williston State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Williston State College, located in Williston, North Dakota, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,367
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Williston State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Williston State College is $6,128, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,932. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,454 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,099 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,128
- Out-of-State
- $6,128
- Avg Net Price
- $5,932
- Median Debt
- $10,099
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 14%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,454
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,213
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,026
- Family Income $110K+
- $8,854
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Williston State College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Williston State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Williston State College report median earnings of $44,017, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,524
- 8 Years
- $46,349
- 10 Years
- $44,017
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.23x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (107)
- 36%
- 100% (107)
- 36%
- 100% (107)
- 36%
- 100% (107)
- 36%
How Williston Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Williston State College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Williston State College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,932/year ($23,728 total). Graduates earn $44,017 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $995,680 in total earnings — a net gain of $971,952 (42.0× your investment). The median debt is $10,099, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $23,728
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $995,680
- Net Return
- $971,952
- ROI Multiple
- 42.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,932
- Median Debt
- $10,099
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Williston State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Williston State College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.23%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.23%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $81,791
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $101,625
- Investment Income
- $2,924
Top Programs
The fields Williston State College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 36%
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Health Professions 13% $67,032 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 12%
- Precision Production 11%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Williston State College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Williston State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Williston State College, located in Williston, North Dakota, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Williston State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Williston State College is $6,128, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,932. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,454 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,099 in federal student loans.
Is Williston State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Williston State College report median earnings of $44,017, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Williston State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Williston State College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.23%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Williston State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Williston State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Williston State College.
- Northern Maine Community CollegePresque Isle, ME · Close peer38% grad $43,348 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Columbia-Greene Community CollegeHudson, NY · Close peer40% grad $44,441 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of South Carolina-SumterSumter, SC · Close peer38% grad $42,437 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Warren County Community CollegeWashington, NJ · Close peer43% grad $43,359 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusLos Lunas, NM · Close peer20% grad $44,792 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- York County Community CollegeWells, ME · Close peer31% grad $44,873 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Williston State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Williston State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note