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2026 Best Trade Schools in North Dakota

2026 Best Trade Schools in North Dakota

Looking for the best Trade degree programs in North Dakota? Our ranking highlights 25 institutions 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 arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 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 Trade Degree Schools in North Dakota

Here are the top-ranked schools:

#1

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College tops our 2026 ranking of the best Trade degree schools in North Dakota. Set in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $13,340. More on Bismarck State College

The strong Trade programs at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place in North Dakota. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report

#3

University Of Mary

Bismarck, ND

The strong Trade programs at University Of Mary earned it the #3 place in North Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full University Of Mary report

#4

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

The strong Trade programs at University Of North Dakota earned it the #4 place in North Dakota. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. More on University Of North Dakota

The strong Trade programs at North Dakota State College Of Science earned it the #5 place in North Dakota. This public school is set in Wahpeton, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science

Rasmussen College North Dakota placed #6 among Trade schools in North Dakota. Located in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,404 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $28,798. See the full Rasmussen College North Dakota profile

#7

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. The median Trade program debt is $27,266. Read the full report on Dickinson State University

Minot State University landed the #8 spot in North Dakota this year. Set in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. Minot State University Trade students take on a median of $25,788 in debt. See the full Minot State University profile

Dakota College At Bottineau placed #9 among Trade schools in North Dakota. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $19,161. See the full Dakota College At Bottineau profile

Jamestown College did well this year, earning the #10 position. More on Jamestown College

Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks placed #11 among Trade schools in North Dakota. See the full Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks profile

Josefs West Academy ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read more about Josefs West Academy

Turtle Mountain Community College placed #13 among Trade schools in North Dakota. More on Turtle Mountain Community College

Valley City State University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Get the full Valley City State University report

Cankdeska Cikana Community College placed #15 among Trade schools in North Dakota. More on Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Mayville State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Get the full Mayville State University report

Fort Berthold Community College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Get the full Fort Berthold Community College report

Trinity Bible College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. See the full Trinity Bible College profile

Lynnes Welding Training ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read more about Lynnes Welding Training

Sitting Bull College did well this year, earning the #20 position. More on Sitting Bull College

United Tribes Technical College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report

Lake Region State College placed #22 among Trade schools in North Dakota. Read the full report on Lake Region State College

The Salon Professional Academy Fargo did well this year, earning the #23 position. More on The Salon Professional Academy Fargo

Williston State College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Williston State College

The Hair Academy did well this year, earning the #25 position. More on The Hair Academy

More Trade Rankings

Ranking Methodology & Notes

The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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

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