Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota
- 14
- Schools
- $50,978
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $12,661
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,515
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 14 schools run from $28,488 to $63,552, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Williston State College delivers the most for the money: roughly $44,017 in median earnings against $5,932 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Sitting Bull College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,605 a year in net price.
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University of Mary graduates 67% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Lake Region State College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Lake Region State College ($49,502 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of North Dakota ($63,552), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Sitting Bull College costs $4,605 a year and University of Jamestown costs $19,567. Yet their graduates earn $28,488 and $56,621, nowhere near the $14,962 price gap.
- On value, Williston State College beats University of North Dakota: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Williston State College and University of Mary. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $52K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Lake Region State College #1 overall | $49,502 ▼ -3% vs avg | $13,577 | 51% | 80 |
| 2 Minot State University #2 overall | $51,759 ▲ +2% vs avg | $12,703 | 46% | 79 |
| 3 University of Mary #3 overall | $60,909 ▲ +19% vs avg | $17,770 | 67% | 78 |
| $40,576 ▼ -20% vs avg | $10,039 | 51% | 77 | |
| $63,552 ▲ +25% vs avg | $18,551 | 62% | 77 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,978 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $12,661.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Williston State College — Net Price: $5,932 | Graduation Rate: 41%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Mary — 67% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of North Dakota — Median alumni earnings: $63,552
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$51,240
Median earnings (10yr)
49%
Median graduation rate
$12,297
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
The median graduation rate across these 14 schools is 49%. Median graduate earnings reach $51,240 ten years after enrollment, roughly $3,240 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,297 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,585. Some 23% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.4%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Lake Region State College leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $51,240 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Lake Region State College lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,502 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,577 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Minot State University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $51,759 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,703 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Mary lands at #3 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,909 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,770 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Dakota College at Bottineau lands at #4 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,576 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of North Dakota lands at #5 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,552 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,551 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Mayville State University lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $47,828 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
North Dakota State College of Science lands at #7 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $50,513 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,261 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Williston State College lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,017 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,932 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Bismarck State College lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $54,277 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,270 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Dickinson State University lands at #10 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $50,720 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,092 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Jamestown lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $56,621 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,567 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Valley City State University lands at #12 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,725 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,890 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Fargo, ND · 95% accepted · $15,543 net
Why it ranks #13
North Dakota State University-Main Campus lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $62,203 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,543 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Sitting Bull College lands at #14 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (17/100). Graduates earn a median $28,488 a decade after enrolling, 44% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,605 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college in North Dakota can significantly impact your future career and earnings. With a focus on practical outcomes, this list showcases schools that not only have strong nursing programs but also demonstrate solid post-graduation success. For instance, graduates from these colleges can expect average earnings around $50,978, reflecting the potential financial benefits of a nursing degree.
The key factors that separate the top nursing colleges from others include graduation rates, average earnings, and the amount of debt students carry. By focusing on these outcomes, prospective students can better understand which programs may lead to sustainable careers. Notably, the schools listed below are ranked based on their ability to prepare students for the nursing workforce, ensuring they are equipped with both the skills and the financial viability needed in today’s job market.
For example, the University of Mary stands out with an impressive $60,909 in average earnings and a graduation rate of 67%. In contrast, Williston State College has lower earnings at $44,017 and a graduation rate of 41%. This difference highlights not only potential income but also the importance of program effectiveness in preparing students for their careers in nursing.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 12 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.4%. Dickinson State University leads the group at 4.1%, with Williston State College (3.2%) and North Dakota State College of Science (3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 10.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Lake Region State College leads at 15.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 26% across this list. University of Jamestown posts the highest success rate at 44.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.65 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Dickinson State University reaches 1.73, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
One notable trend is how the University of Mary outperforms Williston State College in both earnings and graduation rates. With $60,909 in average earnings and a graduation rate of 67%, the University of Mary provides a clear advantage for students looking to enter the nursing field successfully. In contrast, Williston State College, while offering a low net price of $5,932, has only $44,017 in average earnings and a 41% graduation rate. This illustrates how investing in education can pay off in the long run.
If you're evaluating these programs, consider how each school aligns with your personal priorities. Think about location, campus culture, and financial factors that matter to you. For instance, if affordability is a top concern, Williston State College might stand out despite its lower graduation rate. Conversely, if future earnings are your priority, the University of Mary could be a better fit, despite higher debt.
Ultimately, the right choice will depend on balancing these factors to secure a stable future. A nursing degree is an investment in your career, and understanding the potential earnings and debt can guide your decision. Every family faces unique challenges, but with the right information, you can make a choice that leads to a successful path in nursing.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota ranking? +
Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $49,502 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 51% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of North Dakota posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,552 ten years after enrollment, well above the $50,978 average across the 14 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Williston State College leads: graduates earn a median $44,017 against net price of about $5,932 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Mary has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 67%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $12,661 a year across the 14 ranked schools with cost data. Sitting Bull College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,605. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 14 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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