North Dakota childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 53 North Dakota counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at North Dakota centers runs about $209 per week at the median, above the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $209 | $906 | $153 |
| Toddler | $190 | $823 | $145 |
| Preschool | $177 | $767 | $146 |
| School-age | $172 | $745 | $150 |
Medians across North Dakota counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $198/wk | $167/wk | $145/wk |
| Barnes County | $209/wk | $177/wk | $153/wk |
| Benson County | $199/wk | $168/wk | $146/wk |
| Billings County | $203/wk | $172/wk | $149/wk |
| Bottineau County | $218/wk | $185/wk | $161/wk |
| Bowman County | $220/wk | $186/wk | $161/wk |
| Burke County | $216/wk | $183/wk | $159/wk |
| Burleigh County | $221/wk | $187/wk | $162/wk |
| Cass County | $214/wk | $181/wk | $157/wk |
| Cavalier County | $207/wk | $175/wk | $152/wk |
| Dickey County | $203/wk | $172/wk | $149/wk |
| Divide County | $240/wk | $203/wk | $177/wk |
| Dunn County | $230/wk | $195/wk | $169/wk |
| Eddy County | $195/wk | $165/wk | $143/wk |
| Emmons County | $199/wk | $169/wk | $147/wk |
| Foster County | $209/wk | $177/wk | $154/wk |
| Golden Valley County | $217/wk | $184/wk | $160/wk |
| Grand Forks County | $212/wk | $180/wk | $156/wk |
| Grant County | $200/wk | $169/wk | $147/wk |
| Griggs County | $200/wk | $170/wk | $147/wk |
| Hettinger County | $215/wk | $182/wk | $158/wk |
| Kidder County | $198/wk | $168/wk | $146/wk |
| LaMoure County | $198/wk | $168/wk | $146/wk |
| Logan County | $212/wk | $180/wk | $156/wk |
| McHenry County | $213/wk | $180/wk | $156/wk |
| McIntosh County | $199/wk | $169/wk | $147/wk |
| McKenzie County | $240/wk | $203/wk | $176/wk |
| McLean County | $215/wk | $182/wk | $158/wk |
| Mercer County | $224/wk | $189/wk | $164/wk |
| Morton County | $223/wk | $189/wk | $164/wk |
| Mountrail County | $216/wk | $183/wk | $159/wk |
| Nelson County | $199/wk | $169/wk | $146/wk |
| Oliver County | $199/wk | $169/wk | $147/wk |
| Pembina County | $204/wk | $173/wk | $150/wk |
| Pierce County | $209/wk | $177/wk | $154/wk |
| Ramsey County | $201/wk | $170/wk | $148/wk |
| Ransom County | $222/wk | $188/wk | $163/wk |
| Renville County | $219/wk | $186/wk | $161/wk |
| Richland County | $208/wk | $176/wk | $153/wk |
| Rolette County | $197/wk | $167/wk | $145/wk |
| Sargent County | $221/wk | $187/wk | $162/wk |
| Sheridan County | $201/wk | $170/wk | $147/wk |
| Sioux County | $196/wk | $166/wk | $144/wk |
| Slope County | $205/wk | $173/wk | $150/wk |
| Stark County | $220/wk | $186/wk | $162/wk |
| Steele County | $203/wk | $172/wk | $149/wk |
| Stutsman County | $206/wk | $175/wk | $152/wk |
| Towner County | $201/wk | $170/wk | $148/wk |
| Traill County | $209/wk | $177/wk | $154/wk |
| Walsh County | $203/wk | $172/wk | $150/wk |
| Ward County | $220/wk | $186/wk | $162/wk |
| Wells County | $199/wk | $168/wk | $146/wk |
| Williams County | $230/wk | $195/wk | $169/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: North Dakota requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
North Dakota childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in North Dakota?
The median price for full-time infant care at North Dakota centers is about $209 per week, roughly $906 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $177 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which North Dakota county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Divide County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $240 per week, while Eddy County has the lowest at about $195 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in North Dakota, the median for infant care is about $153 per week home-based versus $209 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.