North Dakota university campus representing database management education
Updated December 2025

Best Database Management Programs in North Dakota: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 9 top accredited database management programs in North Dakota. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks.

Programs Ranked9
Median Salary$87,650
Cost of Living94.2%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Database Management Programs in North Dakota 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Minot State University

Minot, NDPublic

12 database management graduates annually, 94% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
94%
Grad Rate
53.3
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, NDPublic

3 database management graduates annually, 88% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
88%
Grad Rate
48.1
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Valley City State University

Valley City, NDPublic

1 database management graduates annually, 91% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
91%
Grad Rate
44.6
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.North Dakota offers 9+ accredited database management programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Minot State University leads with 94% graduation rate
  • 3.North Dakota software developers earn median $87,650 annually (BLS OES 2024)
  • 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks
  • 5.Cost of living index: 94.2% of US average (below average)

Database Management Education in North Dakota: Overview

North Dakota offers 9 accredited database management programs, producing approximately 48 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, with major employers including Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems.

With a median software developer salary of $87,650 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 94.2% compared to the US average, North Dakota offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.

The top database management programs in the state are led by Minot State University, Dickinson State University, Valley City State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

North Dakota Database Management Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Minot State UniversityMinot, NDPublic$7,16894%53.3
2Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, NDPublic$7,47088%48.1
3Valley City State UniversityValley City, NDPublic$6,61991%44.6
4University of JamestownJamestown, NDPrivate$24,00096%42.1
5Lake Region State CollegeDevils Lake, NDPublic$4,250โ€”41.5
6University of North DakotaGrand Forks, NDPublic$9,237โ€”41.3
7Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo, NDFor-Profit$10,957โ€”38
8Bismarck State CollegeBismarck, NDPublic$4,167โ€”38
9North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, NDPublic$9,309โ€”37.5

Top 5 Database Management Programs in North Dakota: Side-by-Side

SchoolMinot StateDickinson StateValley City StateU of JamestownLake Region State College
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$7,168
$7,470
$6,619
$24,000
$4,250
Graduation Rate
94%
88%
91%
96%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
12
3
1
2
4
Acceptance Rate
72%
60%
69%
94%
N/A
Type
Public
Public
Public
Private
Public
Score
53.3/100
48.1/100
44.6/100
42.1/100
41.5/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Management in North Dakota

North Dakota offers 6 bachelor's-level database management programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Minot State University, Dickinson State University, Valley City State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $61,355 in the North Dakota market.

A bachelor's in database management typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Management Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Database Management Bachelor's Programs in North Dakota

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Minot State
$7,168
94%
8
51.1
#2 Dickinson State
$7,470
88%
3
48.1
#3 Valley City State
$6,619
91%
1
44.6

Top Database Management Schools for Master's Degrees in North Dakota

For graduate study, North Dakota offers 1 master's-level database management programs. Leading institutions include Minot State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in North Dakota reaching $113,945 or more.

Explore our complete national rankings of the best database management master's programs for more options beyond North Dakota.

Top 3 Database Management Master's Programs in North Dakota

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Minot State
$7,168
94%
12
53.3

Most Affordable Database Management Colleges in North Dakota

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database management programs in North Dakota are at Bismarck State College ($4,167/year), Lake Region State College ($4,250/year), Valley City State University ($6,619/year). These programs offer strong ROI given North Dakota's competitive tech salaries.

At Bismarck State College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $16,668 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $61,355, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Database Management Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Database Management Programs in North Dakota (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Bismarck State College
$4,167
$16,668
0.6 years
Public
#2 Lake Region State College
$4,250
$17,000
0.6 years
Public
#3 Valley City State
$6,619
$26,476
1 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Management Schools in North Dakota

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database management programs in North Dakota, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.

#1

Minot State University

Minot, ND โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $7,168 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 94% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 12 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 72%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 53.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 94% graduation rate
  • 12 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 53.3 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (94%), program size (12 graduates), state salary outcomes ($87,650), and selectivity (72% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $7,470 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 88% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 3 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 60%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 48.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 88% graduation rate
  • 3 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 48.1 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (88%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($87,650), and selectivity (60% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Valley City State University

Valley City, ND โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $6,619 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 91% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 1 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 44.6 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 91% graduation rate
  • 1 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 44.6 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (91%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($87,650), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

University of Jamestown

Jamestown, ND โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $24,000 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 2 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 42.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 96% graduation rate
  • 2 database management graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 42.1 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($87,650), and selectivity (94% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $4,250 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 4 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 41.5 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 4 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 41.5 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($87,650), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$61,355
Starting Salary
$87,650
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
58
Annual Openings

Career Paths

+17%

Software Developer opportunities in North Dakota with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$91,931

Systems Analyst

SOC 15-1211
+10%

Systems Analyst opportunities in North Dakota with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$80,148

IT Manager

SOC 15-1299
+15%

IT Manager opportunities in North Dakota with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$90,079
+15%

Technical Consultant opportunities in North Dakota with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$79,957

Database Administrator opportunities in North Dakota with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$81,014

Database Management Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose North Dakota if...
  • You want access to tech jobs in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks
  • You're seeking lower cost of living (94.2% of US average)
  • You want to work at companies like Microsoft or Amazon
  • You prefer North Dakota's quality of life
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs North Dakota's 9)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Database Management in North Dakota FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 9 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Database Management degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

North Dakota-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024

Related Resources

Data Sources & Methodology

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - North Dakota salary data

2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

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