North Dakota Makes a National Splash in Forbes’ College Rankings

Move over, Ivy League — North Dakota’s universities are stepping into the spotlight! Forbes recently released its list of the top colleges in the United States, and both the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks and North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo made the cut. Coming in at a respectable 234 and 237, respectively, these two schools represent the Peace Garden State with pride.

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Beyond Mascots and Campus Charm: How Forbes Ranked Thousands of Colleges

Creating a list like this isn’t just about looking at pretty campuses or which schools have the most spirited mascots (though we all know UND’s Fighting Hawks and NDSU’s Bison are top-notch contenders). Forbes went all in, using an intricate system to assess thousands of colleges, from the big names to hidden gems. They started by categorizing institutions based on their academic focus, whether it’s research, liberal arts, engineering, or specialized business programs.

Alumni Earnings Take Center Stage in Forbes’ Scoring

Once the roster was set, Forbes then ran the schools through a series of metrics. Alumni salary was a major factor, making up 20% of the scoring. Earnings data was gathered from College Scorecard and Payscale, looking at the income of graduates both six and ten years after they hit the job market. Sure, these sources have their quirks—Payscale relies on self-reported data, and College Scorecard includes only graduates with federal student loans—but they still provide insight into where graduates are doing well financially.

Debt and Graduation Rates: Key Factors in Forbes' College Rankings

Debt (15%) was also a big deal. Forbes wanted to see which schools set their students up for success without leaving them drowning in loans. They looked at the average federal loan debt and how likely students were to pay off at least some of it within five years. A solid graduation rate (15%) also helped schools score big points, as did enrolling and graduating a high number of Pell Grant recipients — a nod to supporting students from low-income backgrounds.

Adding a dash of celebrity sparkle, the Forbes American Leaders List (15%) was factored in, gauging the entrepreneurial and leadership success of each school’s graduates. UND and NDSU might not churn out Oscar winners or Nobel laureates every year, but it’s safe to say that their alumni go on to do impactful work both at home and beyond.

So here’s to North Dakota’s finest — holding their own in a sea of big-name schools and showing the world that the Midwest can deliver a stellar education.