2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in North Dakota? We have ranked 25 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 9 schools to produce 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 Nursing Degree Schools in North Dakota
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is North Dakota State College Of Science, our #1 best-value Nursing school in North Dakota. Located in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. The median Nursing program debt is $15,706. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,513 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,706 median debt. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science
A rank of #2 makes Bismarck State College one of the best values in North Dakota. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,340. Bismarck State College alumni report median earnings of $54,277 a decade after entry. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Bismarck State College profile
Out of the 9 schools in North Dakota in this year's value ranking, Lake Region State College landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Devils Lake, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,784. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,502. Set against $15,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Lake Region State College report
A rank of #4 makes Dakota College At Bottineau one of the best values in North Dakota. Dakota College At Bottineau is a public school based in Bottineau, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,388, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,161. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,576 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,161 median debt. Read the full report on Dakota College At Bottineau
Out of the 9 schools in North Dakota in this year's value ranking, Dickinson State University landed the #5 spot. Set in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,266. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,720 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson State University has an acceptance rate of 37%. Read the full report on Dickinson State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
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 average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,552. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
Rasmussen College North Dakota landed the #8 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Based in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,404. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Nursing program here. 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. Get the full Rasmussen College North Dakota report
University Of Mary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. University Of Mary alumni report median earnings of $60,909 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Mary
Trinity Bible College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Get the full Trinity Bible College report
United Tribes Technical College landed the #11 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report
Sitting Bull College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. See the full Sitting Bull College profile
Valley City State University placed #13 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Dakota. Read the full report on Valley City State University
The Hair Academy
The Hair Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read more about The Hair Academy
Minot State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Minot State University profile
Turtle Mountain Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. More on Turtle Mountain Community College
Fort Berthold Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Fort Berthold Community College report
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Get the full Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks report
Cankdeska Cikana Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Get the full Cankdeska Cikana Community College report
Jamestown College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Jamestown College profile
Josefs West Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about Josefs West Academy
Williston State College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read the full report on Williston State College
Mayville State University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Read the full report on Mayville State University
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo placed #24 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Dakota. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Fargo profile
Lynnes Welding Training came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Lynnes Welding Training
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (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 · 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).
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.