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North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, North Dakota · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 800 N 6th St, Wahpeton, ND 58076 · Phone: (701) 671-2403 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
North Dakota State College of Science is a public trade school in Wahpeton, ND, offering diesel mechanic, electrician, and welding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 54.7% completion rate versus a 63.5% state average, with graduates carrying $12,000 in median debt and earning $50,513 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for this campus; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 16.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $46,790 | $66,110 | $81,100 |
| Electricians | $46,440 | $65,710 | $80,510 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $46,660 | $62,000 | $72,560 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $37,610 | $57,360 | $63,560 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,950 | $62,300 | $65,020 |
| Dental hygienists | $82,890 | $90,530 | $96,170 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,520 | $63,560 | $76,860 |
| Dental assistants | $43,680 | $57,770 | $60,270 |
| Medical records specialists | $39,580 | $46,280 | $60,860 |
| Medical assistants | $37,650 | $45,980 | $54,620 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,240 | $74,740 | $78,700 |
| Machinists | $47,810 | $61,820 | $74,670 |
| Construction laborers | $38,990 | $49,070 | $60,680 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,890 | $39,670 | $50,870 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $38,370 | $47,560 | $54,250 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,610 | $74,490 | $78,920 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Dakota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 67 | $51,767 | $45,383 | $11,554 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 49 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 22 | $36,541 | $40,821 | $16,090 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 19 | $42,835 | $43,426 | $11,500 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 14 | $47,110 | $41,565 | $11,123 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $42,835 | $43,426 | $11,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 10 | $33,909 | $33,993 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | $51,767 | $45,383 | $11,554 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | $51,767 | $45,383 | $11,554 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 7 | $33,909 | $33,993 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | $47,110 | $41,565 | $11,123 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | $29,250 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $51,767 | $45,383 | $11,554 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | $51,767 | $45,383 | $11,554 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
North Dakota State College of Science is a public trade and career college in Wahpeton, North Dakota, located in a remote town setting. Federal student aid can be used here (Title IV eligible), and the college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy. Across 30 program offerings, the largest trade programs are diesel mechanic schools (73 completers), electrician schools (49 completers), and welding schools (33 completers).
Among the numbers reported for this campus: the completion rate is 54.7%, which is below the state average of 63.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $50,513. About 16.3% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Total undergraduate enrollment is 1,909, with 321 trade program completers counted.
This campus offers a wide mix of hands-on trade programs spanning diesel, electrical, welding, dental, medical support, and culinary fields, which may suit students seeking focused, skills-based training rather than a traditional four-year path; specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data, so career changers should confirm scheduling directly with the school. To verify current accreditation status and review the underlying federal outcome figures, contact the school directly or consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The campus offers 30 programs across families including diesel mechanic, electrician, welding, auto mechanic, LPN, dental hygiene, plumbing, dental assisting, medical billing/coding, medical assisting, culinary, CNC machining, construction trades, EMT training, pharmacy tech, and HVAC. The top programs by completers are diesel mechanic schools (73), electrician schools (49), and welding schools (33).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its institutional accreditor is the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal student aid programs. About 16.3% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 54.7%, which is below the state average of 63.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $50,513, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (701) 671-2403 or visit https://www.ndscs.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means state-subsidized tuition and Title IV eligibility, both of which apply here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status with the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data directly at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?200305.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers hands-on trade programs in fields like diesel mechanics, electrical work, and welding, which are often structured for skills-based entry; however, specific scheduling and program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so career changers should confirm fit directly with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (701) 671-2403 to ask about specific program credentialing.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach North Dakota State College of Science at (701) 671-2403 or through its website, https://www.ndscs.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; use the College Scorecard link to compare outcomes across institutions directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in North Dakota
- Commercial Education and Safety, LLCWest Fargo, ND
- Richland County Highway Department--Don WittHankinson, ND
- Wyndmere Public SchoolWyndmere, ND
- Bismarck State CollegeBismarck, ND · college
- Williston State CollegeWilliston, ND · 42% completion
- Lynnes Welding TrainingFargo, ND · 98% completion
- Dakota College at BottineauBottineau, ND · 48% completion
- Turtle Mountain Community CollegeBelcourt, ND · college
See all trade and career schools in North Dakota or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.