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The state of North Dakota is known for its oil, natural resources, and rural communities. It is the nineteenth largest state by land mass yet the fourth smallest by population. Situated in the northern portion of the Midwest, it is bordered by Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Canada. With respect to higher education opportunities, North Dakota has over two dozen private and public universities to its credit. Private colleges found in North Dakota include a handful of schools like the University of Mary and the University of Jamestown. Find the perfect private college in North Dakota today with MatchCollege. Get matched to accredited private universities in North Dakota in seconds and receive admissions information with a simple request from a single portal. Get organized, stay focused on your goals, work hard to achieve your academic objectives, and strive to be the very best you can be by starting today.
2025 Best Private Colleges in North Dakota
University of Mary is a nonprofit private institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota and provides a large number of degree programs for students. The school's Roman Catholic affiliation is one of its defining characteristics and plays an important role within the school's mission. Nearly 3,300 students enroll at UMary/Marauders yearly. A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Biological And Biomedical Sciences
- Liberal Arts And Sciences
- Baseball (NCAA Division II)
- Basketball (NCAA Division II)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division II)
- Football (NCAA Division II)
Enrollment
3,796
Student to Faculty Ratio
14:1
Formerly known as Jamestown College, The University of Jamestown provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to guide them in their growth and development. The school is located in Jamestown, North Dakota and operated as a private institution. The school maintains a Presbyterian Church affiliation, which is evident in the role it plays in program curriculum and daily life at the school. The school's small size in terms of enrollment, approximately 1000 students, allows students to have a more hands on education due to the size of the class and ease of access to professors. A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Education
- Security And Protective Services
- Psychology
- Baseball (NAIA Division II)
- Basketball (NAIA Division II)
- Track & Field (NAIA Division II)
- Football (NAIA Division II)
- Golf (NAIA Division II)
Enrollment
1,089
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
TMCC provides a variety of program options for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Belcourt, ND and operated as a private institution. As a tribal college, the school's primary goal is to serve residents of the reservation and to provide postsecondary educational options for its residents. The high teacher to student ratio and access to faculty and teachers are due primarily to the small student body, nearly 1000 students, maintained by TMCC.
Here is a list of some of the popular programs Turtle Mountain Community College offers:
- Liberal Arts
- Early Childhood Education
- Construction Trades
- Welding Engineering Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Administrative Assistant
The school has an open enrollment policy, admitting any applicants that meet the minimum requirements for admission. Submission of transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendations may be requested for certain programs.
The cost of tuition is approximately $2,500, but may change yearly. Students are encouraged to use the school's price of attendance calculator to better understand their cost of attending this school. Students enrolled at Turtle Mountain Community College may qualify for aid which is typically scholarships, grants, and loans.
Students may visit the school's http://www.tm.edu to view additional information.
Enrollment
573
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
United Tribes Technical College is a nonprofit private college that has a fair number of programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Bismarck, ND, in a predominantly suburban area. As a tribal college, the school's primary function is to serve residents of the reservation and to provide postsecondary educational options for the students. United Tribes Technical College, with only approximately 600 students enrolled, offers smaller class sizes and personalized education as part of its commitment to students. A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:
- Energy Management and Systems Technology
- Business Administration
- Construction Trades
- Criminal Justice
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Enrollment
429
Student to Faculty Ratio
9:1
How are North Dakota Private Colleges Different?

Private universities are schools that do not accept public funds. In fact, private colleges are required to utilize tuition, grants, donations, and internal operations to sustain the school. Private colleges typically provide students with a more intimate classroom setting with greater opportunities for collaboration and communication. With lower student to teacher ratios, a private university will generally provide students greater access to teaching professors. Academic programs found in private colleges can be as diverse as larger schools with departments inmath&engineeringalong withteaching&business. Many schools will provide both undergraduate and graduate school opportunities for students looking to take their careers to new heights.
List of Large 4-Year Private Universities in North Dakota
- Bismarck State College (BSC) in Fargo, ND
- Lake Region State College (UJ) in Jamestown, ND
Small to Medium Sized 4-Year Universities
The 4-year schools listed below have a small to medium sized student body and may offer a wide range of associate and bachelor's degrees. Get more information about each school by clicking the links below.
- Mayville State University (UMary/Marauders) in Bismarck, ND
- United Tribes Technical College (TMCC) in Belcourt, ND
- Valley City State University in Bismarck, ND
4-Year Colleges with a Special Focus on an Area of Study
The schools below are grouped by their special area of focus. To learn about admissions, tuition & fees, programs offered, and more click on the school names below.
Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges, and Other Faith-Related Institutions
- Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) in Ellendale, ND
Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both North Dakota in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.