# Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 17 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-north-dakota

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in North Dakota

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering options for higher education in North Dakota, affordability is a key factor that many families weigh. The colleges on this list share a common goal: providing quality education at a price that won't break the bank. For instance, the average net price across these institutions is significantly lower than the national average, making them appealing choices for budget-conscious students.

What sets the top schools apart in this ranking are their outcomes. We look at earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels to give a clearer picture of what students can expect after graduation. For example, while Williston State College has a net price of $5,932 and average earnings of $44,017, others like Valley City State University boast higher earnings at $52,725 but also come with a higher debt burden.

Two schools stand out: Turtle Mountain Community College offers the lowest net price at $3,428 and a graduation rate of 49%, while Cankdeska Cikana Community College, with a grad rate of only 22%, has a net price of $6,507. This contrast illustrates that lower prices do not always guarantee higher completion rates, making it crucial for students and families to consider both cost and outcomes as they explore their options.

## Key Findings

- Williston State College has a net price of $5,932 and average earnings of $44,017.
- Turtle Mountain Community College features the lowest net price at $3,428 with a 49% graduation rate.
- Valley City State University has average earnings of $52,725 but also a debt of $20,369.
- The average graduation rate among these colleges is 46%, indicating room for improvement.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Williston State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williston-state-college) | Williston, ND | 41% | $44,017 | $5,932 | $10,099 | 0.23x |
| 2 | [Turtle Mountain Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/turtle-mountain-community-college) | Belcourt, ND | 49% | $32,079 | $3,428 | N/A | N/A |
| 3 | [United Tribes Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/united-tribes-technical-college) | Bismarck, ND | 28% | $25,292 | $3,569 | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | [Valley City State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valley-city-state-university) | Valley City, ND | 51% | $52,725 | $11,890 | $20,369 | 0.39x |
| 5 | [Bismarck State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bismarck-state-college) | Bismarck, ND | 48% | $54,277 | $10,270 | $11,533 | 0.21x |
| 6 | [Dakota College at Bottineau](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dakota-college-at-bottineau) | Bottineau, ND | 51% | $40,576 | $10,039 | $10,507 | 0.26x |
| 7 | [Mayville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mayville-state-university) | Mayville, ND | 40% | $47,828 | $11,456 | $18,585 | 0.39x |
| 8 | [Minot State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/minot-state-university) | Minot, ND | 46% | $51,759 | $12,703 | $19,609 | 0.38x |
| 9 | [North Dakota State College of Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-dakota-state-college-of-science) | Wahpeton, ND | 52% | $50,513 | $11,261 | $12,000 | 0.24x |
| 10 | [Cankdeska Cikana Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cankdeska-cikana-community-college) | Fort Totten, ND | 22% | $17,008 | $6,507 | N/A | N/A |
| 11 | [Sitting Bull College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sitting-bull-college) | Fort Yates, ND | 23% | $28,488 | $4,605 | N/A | N/A |
| 12 | [Dickinson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dickinson-state-university) | Dickinson, ND | 47% | $50,720 | $14,092 | $18,442 | 0.36x |
| 13 | [Lake Region State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-region-state-college) | Devils Lake, ND | 51% | $49,502 | $13,577 | $10,293 | 0.21x |
| 14 | [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus) | Fargo, ND | 64% | $62,203 | $15,543 | $23,199 | 0.37x |
| 15 | [University of Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mary) | Bismarck, ND | 67% | $60,909 | $17,770 | $24,000 | 0.39x |
| 16 | [University of North Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-dakota) | Grand Forks, ND | 62% | $63,552 | $18,551 | $22,057 | 0.35x |
| 17 | [University of Jamestown](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-jamestown) | Jamestown, ND | 47% | $56,621 | $19,567 | $27,000 | 0.48x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-north-dakota

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.