Williston State College North Dakota

Williston State is a public two-year institution located in Williston, a town in the northwestern corner of North Dakota. The college serves a mix of students pursuing associate degrees, career certificates, and those planning to transfer to four-year universities. It's the kind of place where you'll find a genuine community feel—small enough that you're not just a number, but with enough resources and program variety to support different educational goals.

The college enrolls 912 students and keeps costs genuinely low. In-state tuition runs $4,938 per year, and out-of-state tuition is the same—$4,938. Room and board costs $8,581 annually, bringing the total cost of attendance to $18,019 for either in-state or out-of-state students. That's one of the most affordable college experiences you'll find anywhere.

The six-year graduation rate sits at 39.5 percent, which is worth understanding honestly: this is a two-year college, so many students complete their degrees in two years and move on, while others take longer or transfer before finishing. Williston State works best for students who want an affordable, low-pressure entry into higher education, those planning to earn an associate degree and enter the workforce quickly, or students who need time to figure out their direction before committing to a four-year university.