2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in North Dakota? We have ranked 25 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in North Dakota
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Valley City State University, our #1 Graduate Degrees school in North Dakota. Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,074. Read more about Valley City State University
University Of Mary came in at #2 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in North Dakota. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of Mary report
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place in North Dakota. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,153. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Dakota one of the top choices in North Dakota. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,110. More on University Of North Dakota
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Jamestown College earned it the #5 place in North Dakota. Based in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $24,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Jamestown College
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Minot State University is a public school based in Minot, ND. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,788. More on Minot State University
Rasmussen College North Dakota came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,404. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Rasmussen College North Dakota report
Fort Berthold Community College landed the #8 spot in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Fort Berthold Community College
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Fargo report
Turtle Mountain Community College landed the #10 spot in North Dakota this year. Get the full Turtle Mountain Community College report
The Hair Academy
The Hair Academy came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on The Hair Academy
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks
Cankdeska Cikana Community College placed #13 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. See the full Cankdeska Cikana Community College profile
Williston State College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Read more about Williston State College
Bismarck State College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Read more about Bismarck State College
North Dakota State College Of Science did well this year, earning the #16 position. See the full North Dakota State College Of Science profile
Sitting Bull College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Sitting Bull College profile
United Tribes Technical College landed the #18 spot in North Dakota this year. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report
Josefs West Academy landed the #19 spot in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Josefs West Academy
Trinity Bible College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Trinity Bible College
Mayville State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Mayville State University
Lake Region State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Lake Region State College profile
Lynnes Welding Training placed #23 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. More on Lynnes Welding Training
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #24 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. More on Dakota College At Bottineau
Dickinson State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full Dickinson State University report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).