This ND School Has the Highest College Tuition, Not UND

School is about to start in North Dakota, and students are feeling the pressure of the rising costs of books, housing, and tuition. The cost of tuition fluctuates at the different North Dakota colleges each year, so what can we expect this fall? Which North Dakota college is the most expensive?

Looking at data provided by CollegeTuitionCompare.com, we know which colleges were the most expensive in late 2025, so here's what we're tracking for 2026-2027.

Most Expensive Colleges in North Dakota

You might immediately guess North Dakota State University, or UND, but you'd be wrong. After doing a little bit of research, I was shocked to find that while those two colleges are among the most expensive, they are not the most expensive in the state.

According to the source, the most expensive college in North Dakota is the University of Jamestown, with an annual tuition of approximately $24,990. Jamestown is followed by U-Mary, then Trinity Bible College. University of North Dakota (UND) ranks 4th.

Let's take a look at the top 10 most expensive colleges in North Dakota (2025) for a clearer picture.

(Also Read: Jamestown Named North Dakota's Most Affordable City For Housing in 2026)

North Dakota's Most Expensive Colleges Ranked Based On Undergraduate & Tuition Fees:

University of Jamestown - $24,990

University of Mary - $22,356

Trinity Bible College - $19,700

University of North Dakota - $15,570

North Dakota State University - $15,564

Rasmussen University - North Dakota - $14,404

Valley City State University - $13,544

Mayville State University - $11,237

Dickinson State University - $9,118

Minot State University - $8,702

That's a nearly $16,300 gap between the priciest and cheapest four-year school in the state. The reason colleges like the University of Jamestown and U Mary are so pricey is largely that private schools don't get help from state tax dollars the way NDSU and UND do. They have to lean on tuition, donations, and endowments to cover costs, which is a big part of why their price tags run higher.