Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0The nearest college is 22.8 miles from Oakes
No college is within 15 miles of Oakes. The nearest is Trinity Bible College and Graduate School in Ellendale, ND (144 students on campus); North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton is 71.3 miles away and Valley City State University 54 miles.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Oakes. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Oakes
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Oakes
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college and public university, priced below.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the nearest college, the nearest community college and the nearest public university. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Oakes’ median household income ($67,632) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
The same three colleges: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Oakes
What is the closest college to Oakes?
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School in Ellendale, ND, 22.8 miles in a straight line from the center of Oakes. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Oakes, and what does it cost?
North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, 71.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,974 a year for North Dakota residents; the federal net price, $11,261, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Valley City State University cost if we live in North Dakota?
Tuition and fees are $8,514 a year in-state and $13,544 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,879 (under $30,000 income) to $14,570 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Oakes residents are in college?
About 2 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below North Dakota (8). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Oakes. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →