Best Colleges in North Dakota

North Dakota is a Midwestern state with near-tropical summers and below-zero winter months. The colleges in The Garden State are mostly public and private not-for-profit, with only one for-profit institution. There are four Tribal colleges, two special-focus institutions, and two research universities to go along with the collection of baccalaureate and associate options. The University of North Dakota is the oldest in the state, even older than the state itself since it was established six years prior to North Dakota’s approval as a US state. Mayville State University is the most selective. Agriculture is a major contributor to North Dakota’s economy, with livestock, wheat, barley, and sunflower seeds topping most charts for production quantities. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park, International Peace Garden, and the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site are top attractions in the state.

How Were the Top Schools in North Dakota Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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Minot State University

Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. Minot State is home to three colleges, of Business, of Education & Health Sciences, and of Arts & Sciences. On top of the wide variety of majors and minors provided on...

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The teachers challenge their students to want to learn what they are teaching. I have learned so much that I never thought I would ever learn.

” – Brooke from Plentywood, MT
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The University of Jamestown is a private, 4-year institution located in the state of North Dakota. The college offers a number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with its highest-level program a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The UJ...

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All of my classes are engaging. My professors encourage me to study and work hard in order for me to grow as a person and in knowledge.

” – Kelsey from Minot, ND
University of North Dakota

Founded six years before North Dakota achieved statehood, the University of North Dakota is a 4-year public university in eastern North Dakota and the state’s largest institution of higher learning. UND offers undergraduate degrees in over 225...

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Right now I am taking general classes, some are the same that I took in high school like psych, chemistry, and precalculus but the teachers cover the material in much greater detail.

” – Cassondra from Ham Lake, MN
North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Originally founded as an agricultural college, North Dakota State University is a 4-year public school in Fargo. NDSU is home to seven colleges offering bachelor’s degrees in over 45 areas of study. In addition to classroom space, North Dakota State...

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There are plenty of majors and classes to select from. NDSU does a very good job of keeping classes interesting and very informative. I believe that the classes I take from my major are very crucial part of class and I love taking them.

” – Bryce from Woodbury, MN
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Originally founded as a teacher’s college in 1890, Valley City State University is an institution specializing in training future educators along with 80 other undergraduate programs. US News & World Report named VCSU the number one public regional...

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Students are encouraged to be diligent. The teachers are sensitive to cultural differences, know their subjects well, and communicate effectively. Each class teaches valuable life skills related to the subject of study.

” – Amy from Orlando, FL
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Dickinson State University is a public, 4-year institution established on an urban, 110-acre campus in North Dakota. Dickinson State offers bachelor’s degree programs in over 70 fields of study, as well as a master’s degree program in teaching. The...

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Just make sure you bring WARM CLOTHES!!!! But other than that you wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

” – Dalmin from Newell, SD
University of Mary

The University of Mary is a 4-year Benedictine university in the North Dakota state capital of Bismarck and the only Catholic university in the state. Mary grants undergraduate degrees in over 60 academic majors. In addition to classroom facilities...

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As a music major, I am incredibly pleased with the music faculty. They are incredibly knowledgeable, and are very willing to help in everything they can. Other professors are just as willing to do so and are fully qualified to teach their subjects...

” – Taylor from Mayville, ND
Mayville State University

Mayville State University is a 4-year public school and a member of the North Dakota State University system. MSU prepares future educators through its 11 teaching majors in subjects such as History, Psychology, and English Education. Outside of the...

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Mayville State University is a small university where everyone is a family and can produce the same outcomes as a larger university.

” – DAVID from National City, CA
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With a campus overlooking the Missouri River, Bismarck State College is the third largest school in the North Dakota University System. Bismarck State provides two years of courses toward an undergraduate degree through its 45 liberal arts transfer...

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Bismarck State College is the perfect school to go to if you are looking for a college to start out at. It has lots of different degree plans and there are many people available to help you out at all times! The faculty and staff there are also very...

” – Katie from Bismarck, ND
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With campus a short distance from North Dakota’s largest body of water, Lake Region State College is a 2-year community college. LRSC is home to three academic departments offering associate degrees and certificates in 17 fields of study. The campus’...

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The classes are small, which helps. We have 4 IVN classes for interactive classes that can be taken at LRSC that are offered at other schools. The teachers genuinely care about how their students do. They monitor classroom attendance and progress...

” – Kelsey from Litchfield, MN
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Originally founded as a school of forestry, Dakota College at Bottineau is a 2-year community college in north-central North Dakota. DCB confers degrees and certificates in 34 fields of study, but remains true to its forestry roots through academic...

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I would give Dakota College at Bottineau an A because they are great for military/distant students. I love their online degree program for Elementary Education and they advisors actually care about helping you.

” – Lizzut from Princeton, FL
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North Dakota State College of Science is a 2-year residential college with two campuses in the southeast part of the state and the second oldest public 2-year college in America. NDSCS is home to 13 academic departments offering degrees and...

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My teachers really get me to learn things, they will help you with whatever you need help with. The teachers are really great here.

” – Brooke from Cavalier, ND
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Williston State College is a 2-year community college in northwest North Dakota and part of the North Dakota University system. WSC is home to five academic departments offering associate degrees and certificates. Of those, 12 degrees and...

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The college was once a small town college, after year we see a big change in the town but what about th e college. In the passed, two years I have seen this college become a college I will remember the new and improved college, that will stand by it...

” – Melissa from GRENORA, ND
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School

Trinity Bible College and Graduate School is a Pentecostal Bible college affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Trinity grants 16 bachelor’s degrees including Children’s Ministry and Biblical Studies and all degree programs...

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I would recommend Trinity Bible College to any student that is serious about their academic career and learning more about God. The students and staff make the college feel like a home-away-from-home with their welcoming atmosphere and willingness to...

” – Katrina from Ellendale, ND
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Founded by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Sitting Bull College is a tribal institution on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. Featuring an academic curriculum guided by Lakota/Dakota values, Sitting Bull is home to an extensive Native...

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Sitting Bull College is, as one outreach coordinator says, the Harvard of Tribal Colleges, and it deserves this- the education offered at Sitting Bull is top-notch, whether pursuing business, education, environmental studies, or other majors. The...

” – Cara in Fort Yates
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With campus on the shores of Sweetwater Lake, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a 2-year tribal college on North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Reservation. CCCC confers 11 associate degrees and three certificate-granting academic programs. With a focus on...

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With campus a short distance from the Missouri River, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is a tribal college in western North Dakota operated by the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. NHSC offers bachelor’s degrees in Native...

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With a main campus a short distance from the Canadian border, Turtle Mountain Community College is a tribal college on North Dakota’s Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. TMCC offers 10 associate degree programs and its technical degrees are...

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Established in 1969, United Tribes Technical College is a 2-year, tribal institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. UTTC offers diplomas, certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in 16 fields of study, with fully-online programs...

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I had an amazing opportunity to learn at UTTC. My instructors were well versed in the topics they were teaching, and were able to give me real world examples along with theory from my texts to support the lesson!

” – Bobby from Drumright, OK