4 accredited programs at 3 schools in North Dakota, ranked for 2027: automotive and collision repair. North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND has the highest score, and automotive service technicians and mechanics here earn a median $57,360.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group Updated
At a Glance
4 ranked programs at 3 schools in North Dakota: 3 automotive and 1 collision repair.
North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND scores highest, 62.3 out of 100 (automotive).
BLS reports a May 2025 median of $57,360 for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023) in North Dakota.
Published prices run from $4,632 a year (United Tribes Technical College) to $5,974 a year, in-state (North Dakota State College of Science).
2 of 3 ranked mechanic schools in North Dakota are public institutions.
Top Mechanic Schools in North Dakota
These mechanic schools in North Dakota run in score order. Ranks are this state’s; each card also gives the national rank in its trade.
Rank 1
Automotive Technology
North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, ND
Score62.3
ASE Accredited Program
Public
Associate in Applied Science
Cost
$5,974a year, in-state
Graduation rate
55%within 150% of normal time
Auto technician pay in North Dakota
$57,360median, BLS May 2025
Graduate earnings
$74,744median four years after completing, associate’s level; school-wide across its mechanic programs
Why it ranks here
Ranked #65 of 415 automotive programs nationally. Earns its place with graduates earning a median $74,744 and a 55% graduation rate.
Source: IPEDS 2024-25 (provisional), College Scorecard, the ASE accreditation list and BLS OEWS May 2025.
Rank 2
Automotive Collision Technology
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND
Score57.6
ASE Accredited Program
Public
Associate in Applied Science
Cost
$5,247a year, in-state
Graduation rate
47%within 150% of normal time
Graduate earnings
$62,014median four years after completing, certificate level; school-wide across its mechanic programs
Awards
12in 2024-25
Why it ranks here
Ranked #24 of 59 collision repair programs nationally. Scores well on a price toward the low end of ranked collision repair programs ($5,247 a year, in-state) and graduates earning a median $62,014. Only the diploma option ended with the Fall 2026 start.
Source: IPEDS 2024-25 (provisional), College Scorecard and the ASE accreditation list.
Rank 3
Automotive Technology
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND
Score54.5
ASE Accredited Program
Public
Associate in Applied Science, 2 years
Cost
$5,247a year, in-state
Graduation rate
47%within 150% of normal time
Graduate earnings
$62,014median four years after completing, certificate level; school-wide across its mechanic programs
Awards
10in 2024-25
Why it ranks here
Ranked #156 of 415 automotive programs nationally. Ranked on a price of $5,247 a year, in-state, graduates earning a median $62,014 and a 47% graduation rate. Only the diploma option ended with the Fall 2026 start.
3 ranked automotive programs at 3 schools in North Dakota. North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton, ND) leads and stands #65 of 415 nationally, in the top quarter, on a score of 62.3. United Tribes Technical College is the lowest priced at $4,632 a year, against $5,974 a year, in-state at North Dakota State College of Science. Automotive programs are taught in Wahpeton, ND and Bismarck, ND. The program graduated 55% of its students within 150% of normal time and awarded 16 credentials in 2024-25. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $57,360 for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023) in North Dakota, $6,740 above the national median of $50,620.
North Dakota has one ranked collision repair program, Bismarck State College (Bismarck, ND). Its national place is #24 of 59, in the upper half, on 57.6 points. Bismarck State College publishes $5,247 a year, in-state. The program graduated 47% of its students within 150% of normal time and awarded 12 credentials in 2024-25. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $55,160 for automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021) in North Dakota, $270 above the national median of $54,890.
BLS counts 2,140 wage and salary jobs for automotive service technicians and mechanics in North Dakota, a denser market than the national average. The medians below describe each occupation in the state, not the graduates of the mechanic schools in $North Dakota above.
BLS median pay in North Dakota by occupation, May 2025
Occupation
Median
Lowest 10%
Highest 10%
Jobs
U.S. median
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics SOC 49-3023
$57,360
under $37,610
over $83,860
2,140
$50,620
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists SOC 49-3031
$66,110
under $46,790
over $91,520
1,790
$61,770
Automotive Body and Related Repairers SOC 49-3021
$55,160
under $36,970
over $98,600
680
$54,890
Largest metropolitan areas for automotive service technicians and mechanics: Fargo, ND-MN at $59,510 (600 jobs), Bismarck, ND at $56,960 (350 jobs) and Grand Forks, ND-MN at $58,680 (220 jobs).
For bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists: Fargo, ND-MN at $64,370 (500 jobs) and Bismarck, ND at $63,950 (230 jobs).
For automotive body and related repairers: Fargo, ND-MN at $57,350 (170 jobs) and Bismarck, ND at $57,210 (130 jobs).
Mechanic Salary in North Dakota has the full percentiles, every metropolitan area BLS publishes and the five mechanic trades side by side.
What are the best mechanic schools in North Dakota?
For 2027, North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND has the highest score of the 4 ranked programs in North Dakota, 62.3 out of 100. Among the mechanic schools in North Dakota, the leaders by trade are North Dakota State College of Science (automotive) and Bismarck State College (collision repair). 2 of the 3 ranked schools with a recorded control are public.
Which mechanic schools in North Dakota are accredited?
The 3 ranked mechanic schools in North Dakota hold ASE Education Foundation accreditation in automotive and collision repair, and each met the federal entry bar for the ranking.
How much do mechanics make in North Dakota?
In the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 estimates, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in North Dakota earn a median of $57,360, $6,740 above the national median of $50,620; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn a median of $66,110, $4,340 above the national median of $61,770. These are medians for wage and salary workers in the occupation, not starting pay.
How much do mechanic schools in North Dakota cost?
Among the mechanic schools in North Dakota with a published price, tuition and fees run from $4,632 a year at United Tribes Technical College (Bismarck, ND) to $5,974 a year, in-state at North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton, ND). The median across the state is about $5,247 a year.
Sources for North Dakota Mechanic School Rankings
U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Completions (awards July 2024 to June 2025, provisional), tuition and fees for 2024-25, graduation rates within 150% of normal time and the institutional directory.
This site earns money from sponsored school listings served by the education ad network Esyoh, which are marked as ads wherever they appear. Schools pay to appear in those listings, not in the rankings: a listing is not scored, and no listing can change a ranking. Rankings come from published records, and program details from each school’s own published pages.
