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Known for its rural communities and rich natural resources, North Dakota is the 4th smallest state by population yet the 19th largest by land area. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, Montana to the west, and South Dakota to the south. Specific to higher education, the state is home to over two dozen universities and colleges peppered around the state. Public universities can be found from Bismarck and Valley City to Fargo and Mayville. Top ranked universities in North Dakota start with the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Dickinson State University, and Bismarck State College.
2025 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota
University of North Dakota, a public institution, offers a large number of degree programs, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Grand Forks, ND, the school offers an urban setting for students to study in. Enrollment at UND is nearly 14,000 annually.
Students may select from many areas of study, including:
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Transportation And Materials Moving
- Psychology
- Legal Professions And Studies
- Liberal Arts And Sciences
- Biological And Biomedical Sciences
Students applying for admission are usually asked to submit an application, transcripts, standardized test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the admissions office. Most students accepted to UND score in-between 21 - 26 on the ACT exam. UND has an acceptance rate of 70% of which only 62% decided to enroll. More information regarding admissions can be found here.
Tuition & fees at UND are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs approximately $7,800 per year with out-of-state tuition costing $18,000 per year. Students enrolled at University of North Dakota may qualify for aid which is typically loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs.
The UND Sioux participate in several intercollegiate athletic programs, as part of the NCAA organization. Athletic programs available include:
- Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
For a complete list of areas of study, programs, enrollment information, admissions information, and more, please visit the school's website at http://und.edu.
Enrollment
13,847
Student to Faculty Ratio
18:1
North Dakota State University is a public university that has a large number of programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, in a predominantly urban area. As a land grant institution this school is among larger public institutions in the state of North Dakota. Enrollment at North Dakota State University is nearly fourteen thousand annually.
Students may pick from several areas of study, including:
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Engineering
- Family And Consumer Sciences
To be considered for admissions, you may be required to fill out an application, provide letters of recommendations, and submit any transcripts or test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions committee. Either the SAT or ACT exam can be taken in order to apply to North Dakota State University. Scores within the range of 21 to 26 on the ACT or 990 to 1260 on the SAT are required to increase the chance of admission. North Dakota State University has an admissions rate of about 86 percent of which only 55 percent decided to enroll. More information regarding admissions can be found at ndsu.edu.
Tuition & fees at this school vary for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs around $7,900 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $19,000 for the year. The price of on-campus housing is estimated to be $3,500 per year. Some students at North Dakota State University may be eligible for financial aid, which is typically offered as grants or student loans.
The mascot for North Dakota State University is the "Bison", and they participate in intercollegiate sports through the NCAA. Athletic programs available may include the following:
- Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
Enrollment
13,796
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
About
Valley City State University, located in Valley City, North Dakota, is a public land grant university founded in 1890. Originally founded as a normal school, today it is part of the 11 member North Dakota State University System. The school is a laptop university school, which provides all students a laptop as part of the technology fee which also grants campus wide wireless internet access. The school serves nearly 1400 students a year, and is dedicated to providing them the best educational opportunities possible.
Academics
Valley City State University offers a number of majors to allow students to choose the academic program that best suits their needs and goals. Such programs typically take four years to complete and result in a bachelor's degree. Minor degree programs are also available, allowing students to add an additional area of study to their curriculum that may be taken out of interest or to augment one's major.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in Valley City State University must have completed the equivalent of a high school education. Students must submit an application for admission, transcripts and standardized test scores. If they meet the requirements for admissions, they will receive notification of acceptance and begin the process of enrollment. Registration takes place prior to the start of each semester.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will be used to determine a student's financial needs, program eligibility and monetary awards. Financial aid must be applied for every year, prior to the start of the school year.
Enrollment
1,547
Student to Faculty Ratio
13:1
MSU provides a variety of degree programs for students to assist them in their growth and development. The school is located in Minot, ND and publically funded. Minot State University has an annual student enrollment of around 3,900. Students can pick from many areas of study, including but not limited to:
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Education
- Public Administration And Social Services
- Security And Protective Services
- Liberal Arts And Sciences
- Baseball (NAIA Division II)
- Basketball (NAIA Division II)
- Track & Field (NAIA Division II)
Enrollment
3,189
Student to Faculty Ratio
12:1
DSU, a public institution, offers an assortment of degree programs, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Dickinson, ND, the campus offers a rural setting for students to study in. Enrollment at DSU is nearly two thousand annually. Areas of study offered at Dickinson State University include:
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Communications And Journalism
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Education
- Baseball (NAIA Division II)
- Basketball (NAIA Division II)
- Football (NAIA Division II)
- Golf (NAIA Division II)
Enrollment
1,392
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
Mayville State University, a public institution, offers a variety of program options, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Mayville, North Dakota, the school resides in a rural setting for students to study in. Mayville State University, with only about 1000 students enrolled, provides smaller class sizes and personalized education as part of its commitment to students. Here is a list of some of the popular programs Mayville State University offers:
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Education
- Family And Consumer Sciences
- Psychology
- Biological And Biomedical Sciences
- Baseball (NAIA Division II)
- Basketball (NAIA Division II)
- Football (NAIA Division II)
- Softball (NAIA Division II)
- Volleyball (NAIA Division II)
Enrollment
1,184
Student to Faculty Ratio
13:1
North Dakota Public University Degree Programs

The state colleges found in North Dakota are as diverse in academic offerings and enrollment as the geographic expanse where they are situated. Public universities range in student enrollment from a few hundred to around fifteen thousand. In terms of educational offerings, you can find traditional pathways liketeaching,healthcare,business,criminal justice,nursing, andcomputer programmingto more regionally influenced degree programs. Specialized degree pathways that public colleges in ND you may find interesting start withpetroleum engineering,welding,CNC machining,agronomy,data modeling, andindustrial engineering.
Finding Your College Match in North Dakota

Not sure where to begin your college search? Read our guides to helpreducethe cost of college and understand the intricacies of the collegeadmissionsprocess. Determine if an online degree program or a traditional classroom program is best for you along with specific variables that are highly important to you. Narrowing down your college choices by using personal criteria will yield a short-list of quality universities to help you achieve your goals.
North Dakota University System
The 6 schools listed below are part of the North Dakota University System. By following the links below, you can view each school's profile in detail.
Dickinson State University (DSU) in Bismarck, ND

Visit the website for Dickinson State University at http://www.dickinsonstate.edu

Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $8,000 per year for state residents ($12,000 Nonresidents)
ETI Technical College in Valley City, ND

Visit the website for ETI Technical College at http://eticollege.edu
Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $11,000 per year
Fort Berthold Community College (FBCC) in Dickinson, ND

Visit the website for Fort Berthold Community College at http://www.nhsc.edu
Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $4,000 per year
Minot State University in Mayville, ND

Visit the website for Minot State University at http://www.minotstateu.edu
Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $8,000 per year
North Dakota State College of Science in Grand Forks, ND

Visit the website for North Dakota State College of Science at http://www.ndscs.edu
Program Details
- 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $6,000 per year for state residents ($7,000 Nonresidents)
Williston State College in Fargo, ND

Visit the website for Williston State College at http://willistonstate.edu/
Program Details
- 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $6,000 per year
Other Public 4-Year State Universities & Colleges
Below is a list of other 4-year state universities and colleges in North Dakota.
Trinity Bible College in Fort Yates, ND

Visit the website for Trinity Bible College at http://trinitybiblecollege.edu/
Program Details
- Less Than 1,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Tuition & fees $18,000 per year
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.