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Key Takeaways
Best database administration degree programs: U of North Dakota, Dickinson State,
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,167 to $9,237/year
Bismarck State College offers the most affordable option at $4,167/yr
Database Administration degree programs available: 1 associate's in North Dakota
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
1 online database administration degree programs in North Dakota
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
North Dakota community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
1 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems, Packet Digital
Tech hubs in Fargo and Bismarck
Hakia Research 2026
Database Administration degree programs near 18+ cities across North Dakota
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked North Dakota Database Administration programs
We rank 3 accredited database administration programs in North Dakota using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Database Administration Degree Programs in North Dakota Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Database Administration Degree Rankings in North Dakota
Compare the top-ranked Database Administration programs in North Dakota by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Database Administration Programs in North Dakota
Program Landscape
North Dakota offers 1 accredited associate's degree programs in database administration, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Bismarck State College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in North Dakota offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $4,167/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $48,208 in North Dakota.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with North Dakota's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among database administration schools in North Dakota, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their database administration degrees in North Dakota.
Best Bachelor's Database Administration Programs in North Dakota
Program Landscape
North Dakota ranks among the nation's top destinations for database administration education, with 2 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 0 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of North Dakota, Dickinson State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from North Dakota database administration programs earn a median salary of $74,503, 24% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $7,470 to $9,237 annually, with an average of $8,354/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 88%, with the highest reaching 88%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to North Dakota's leading technology employers. For students seeking database administration degrees in North Dakota, these top-ranked database administration schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Database Administration Degree Costs & Tuition in North Dakota
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $6,958/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $17,395/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,740/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $41,748 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $10,436 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Database Administration Students in North Dakota
State Aid Programs
North Dakota students pursuing database administration degrees have access to multiple financial aid pathways. The primary federal resource is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available through (Federal Student Aid), which determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Beyond federal aid, North Dakota offers the North Dakota Academic Scholarship, a merit-based award specifically designed for North Dakota high school graduates. This state-level program provides direct support to qualifying students enrolled in accredited institutions within the (North Dakota University System).
Key Programs & Amounts
Individual institutions offering database administration programs also provide institutional scholarships and grants. Students should contact their chosen school's financial aid office to learn about discipline-specific scholarships in information technology and computer science fields. For those considering community college pathways, such as programs at institutions like North Dakota State College of Science, financial aid packages often include lower baseline costs, making federal and state aid more impactful. The (College Scorecard) provides transparent data on average aid packages and net price calculators for specific institutions. Additionally, students exploring related fields may find supplementary opportunities through scholarships in database management or cloud computing listed on institutional websites.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator, North Dakota
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a database administration degree in North Dakota. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a database administration degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Database Administration Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in North Dakota metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $96K |
| Bismarck | $92K |
| Grand Forks | $88K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Database Administration Graduates in North Dakota
Find database administration jobs in North Dakota. These major employers across North Dakota metro areas are actively hiring database administration degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Database Administration Jobs in Fargo
NDDatabase Administration Jobs in Bismarck
NDTransfer Pathways for Database Administration Degrees in North Dakota
State Transfer System
North Dakota's higher education system streamlines the path from associate's to bachelor's degrees through the NDUS General Education Transfer framework, which ensures that general education credits earned at 2 associate's degree institutions transfer seamlessly to 4 bachelor's degree institutions. Students beginning at North Dakota State College of Science, United Tribes Technical College, or Sitting Bull College can complete a 60–65 credit associate's degree and transition directly into upper-level database administration courses at universities like the University of North Dakota or North Dakota State University-Main Campus. This pathway reduces time to degree completion and lowers overall education costs, with associate's tuition averaging $3,220–$4,997 compared to bachelor's programs averaging $7,168–$9,309.
How Transfers Work
Articulation agreements between community colleges and four-year universities guarantee that database administration coursework completed at the associate's level counts toward bachelor's degree requirements, enabling students to enter university programs as sophomores or juniors. The North Dakota University System coordinates these agreements to eliminate duplicated coursework and credit loss. Students exploring transfer pathways should research related degree options, including Database Management in North Dakota, Information Systems in North Dakota, and Data Analytics in North Dakota, which may offer complementary transfer sequences. The North Dakota Academic Scholarship and Federal Student Aid resources support transfer students, and students should consult their institution's registrar for specific degree maps and articulation details.
Why Pursue a Database Administration Degree in North Dakota?
Industry & Workforce
North Dakota offers a solid foundation for database administration education with 7 institutions currently offering programs at various degree levels, according to IPEDS data. The state's higher education system includes 4 institutions offering bachelor's degrees in database administration, with 15 completions annually, alongside 2 associate's programs producing specialized workforce talent. Top-ranked programs like those at North Dakota State University-Main Campus and the University of North Dakota attract students seeking quality education with affordable tuition. The average public in-state tuition for four-year institutions stands at just $6,417, making North Dakota significantly more accessible than many neighboring states.
Salary Outlook
North Dakota's tech economy centers in vibrant regions including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot, where major employers like Sanford Health, Essentia Health, and Microsoft actively recruit database professionals. The state's economy benefits from strong healthcare and technology sectors that increasingly rely on sophisticated data infrastructure. Students pursuing database administration can leverage College Scorecard data to compare program outcomes, and those interested in related fields might explore Data Analytics in North Dakota or Cloud Computing in North Dakota programs to broaden career pathways. Additionally, the North Dakota University System provides merit-based financial support through the North Dakota Academic Scholarship for qualifying residents.
Database Administration Program Availability in North Dakota
Source: IPEDS 2024
Database Administration Job Market & Salary Data in North Dakota
Employment Outlook
North Dakota's database administration job market is supported by a diverse economic landscape spanning healthcare, technology, and higher education sectors. The state's major metropolitan areas. Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks, serve as primary hubs for IT employment opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, database administration positions remain in steady demand across these regions, with employers actively seeking skilled professionals to manage increasingly complex data infrastructure. The Fargo-Moorhead metro area and Bismarck-Mandan region particularly stand out as growth corridors for technology-focused careers, supported by corporate expansion and healthcare system modernization initiatives.
Salaries by Metro
Educational pathways in North Dakota are strengthened through the state's network of 7 institutions offering database administration programs, with 4 bachelor's degree programs producing 15 completions annually (IPEDS). The University of North Dakota leads the state with 12 completions, followed by Dickinson State University with 3 completions, demonstrating a concentrated pipeline of talent. Public in-state tuition at four-year institutions averages $6,417, making North Dakota programs accessible compared to national standards. For detailed salary data and employment projections, the BLS Occupational Outlook provides comprehensive regional analysis. Students exploring broader IT pathways should consider related programs like Database Management in North Dakota and Data Analytics in North Dakota, which share similar career trajectories and employer networks within the state.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Database Administration Programs in North Dakota
Online Programs
1 available in North Dakota
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Database Administration Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $8,900
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $11,800
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 47
- Median Tuition
- $7,700
- Total Programs
- 65
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
- Total Programs
- 19
- Median Tuition
- $47,600
Database Administration Degree Programs in North Dakota: FAQ
What are the best database administration degree programs in North Dakota?
How much do database administration degree programs cost in North Dakota?
What salary can database administration degree graduates earn in North Dakota?
Are there online database administration degree programs in North Dakota?
What companies hire database administration degree graduates in North Dakota?
Is a database administration degree program worth it in North Dakota?
How long do database administration degree programs take in North Dakota?
What financial aid is available for database administration degree students in North Dakota?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
North Dakota salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.