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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in North Dakota? Our ranking highlights 25 institutions 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 arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 9 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 Trade Degree Schools in North Dakota
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Bismarck State College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking 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. Median earnings reach $54,277 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Bismarck State College
A rank of #2 makes North Dakota State College Of Science one of the best values 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,513 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science
You'll get strong value at Dakota College At Bottineau, which ranked #3 this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,576. Set against $19,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Dakota College At Bottineau profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place in North Dakota. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
You'll get strong value at Dickinson State University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. The median Trade program debt is $27,266. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,720 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. About 37% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Dickinson State University
Minot State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. Minot State University Trade students take on a median of $25,788 in debt. Minot State University alumni report median earnings of $51,759 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Minot State University has an acceptance rate of 65%. See the full Minot State University profile
University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. 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. 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
Rasmussen College North Dakota offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,080 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Rasmussen College North Dakota profile
University Of Mary came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,909. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. University Of Mary has an acceptance rate of 75%. Get the full University Of Mary report
Valley City State University placed #10 among the best-value Trade schools in North Dakota. Get the full Valley City State University report
Cankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #11 spot for value in North Dakota this year. More on Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Lynnes Welding Training ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Lynnes Welding Training
United Tribes Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report
Sitting Bull College placed #14 among the best-value Trade schools in North Dakota. More on Sitting Bull College
Trinity Bible College landed the #15 spot for value in North Dakota this year. See the full Trinity Bible College profile
Turtle Mountain Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. More on Turtle Mountain Community College
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks profile
Josefs West Academy came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Josefs West Academy
Williston State College landed the #19 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Williston State College
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
Mayville State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Mayville State University report
The Hair Academy
The Hair Academy ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on The Hair Academy
Jamestown College placed #23 among the best-value Trade schools in North Dakota. More on Jamestown College
Fort Berthold Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Fort Berthold Community College report
Lake Region State College landed the #25 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Lake Region State College
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 9 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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