2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in North Dakota? We have ranked 25 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in North Dakota
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found Jamestown College to be the best-value Graduate Degrees school in North Dakota. Based in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Median earnings reach $56,621 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on Jamestown College
Rasmussen College North Dakota came in at #2 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in North Dakota. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,080. Set against $28,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Rasmussen College North Dakota report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valley City State University earned it the #3 place in North Dakota. Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,725. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Valley City State University
A rank of #4 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values in North Dakota. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #5 place in North Dakota. Minot State University is a public school based in Minot, ND. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,788. Minot State University alumni report median earnings of $51,759 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on Minot State University
University Of Mary offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,909 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants. Get the full University Of Mary report
University Of North Dakota landed the #7 spot for value in North Dakota this year. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. 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. Median earnings reach $63,552 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota has an acceptance rate of 77%. More on University Of North Dakota
Cankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #8 spot for value in North Dakota this year. See the full Cankdeska Cikana Community College profile
Josefs West Academy placed #9 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. Read the full report on Josefs West Academy
Bismarck State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Bismarck State College
Trinity Bible College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Trinity Bible College
Sitting Bull College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. See the full Sitting Bull College profile
The Hair Academy
The Hair Academy placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. Read the full report on The Hair Academy
Williston State College placed #14 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. Read more about Williston State College
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #15 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. See the full North Dakota State College Of Science profile
Lynnes Welding Training offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. More on Lynnes Welding Training
Fort Berthold Community College landed the #17 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Fort Berthold Community College
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. More on Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks
Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Dakota College At Bottineau
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Fargo report
Lake Region State College placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in North Dakota. See the full Lake Region State College profile
Dickinson State University landed the #22 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Get the full Dickinson State University report
Mayville State University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Mayville State University
United Tribes Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report
Turtle Mountain Community College landed the #25 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Get the full Turtle Mountain Community College report
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 7 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).
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