62 Universities Located in America's Most Underrated Cities

58. University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND): Aviation and Energy Excellence

The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is a national leader in aviation, engineering, and energy research. Its John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is one of the top collegiate aviation programs in the world, training future pilots, air traffic controllers, and drone operators. UND also excels in petroleum engineering and climate science, with access to industry-relevant fieldwork in the Bakken region. Grand Forks itself is a welcoming city with growing tech and research sectors, offering a strong quality of life and low cost of living. UND combines frontier innovation with grounded, real-world application.