Nursing Schools in North Dakota
The programs below span tribal, community, public, and private colleges, with options from practical nursing certificates through the doctorate. Tuition, admission requirements, and pass rates are listed for each so you can compare directly.
University of Mary (Catholic) awards traditional BSN degrees plus online and evening accelerated tracks and bridge programs for licensed nurses. Graduate coursework is online and includes MSN tracks in nurse education, informatics, and leadership and management, dual MSN/MBA tracks, and DNP concentrations in organizational leadership or family nurse practitioner.
- Programs: BSN; MSN; DNP
- Campus: Bismarck
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: BSN $9,170/semester; accelerated BSN $12,665/semester; LPN-to-BSN $605/credit; RN-to-BSN $340/credit; MSN $460/credit; MSN/MBA $560/credit; DNP $630-$665/credit
- Admission: Traditional BSN and LPN-to-BSN, 3.0 GPA and TEAS scores; RN-to-BSN, 2.75 GPA and RN license; accelerated BSN, bachelor's degree and 3.0 GPA; graduate, 2.75-3.0 GPA and RN license
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,641 (bachelor's), $94,408 (master's), per College Scorecard
University of North Dakota offers an onsite BSN and an online RN-to-BSN. Master's students concentrate in family nurse practitioner or psychiatric-mental health, and DNP students can pursue a nurse anesthesia option. Graduate programs run online except for nurse anesthesia, and the school assists with clinical placement.
- Programs: BSN; MSN; DNP
- Campus: Grand Forks
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE; COA of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Tuition: BSN $450/credit in-state, $504 Minnesota, $676 out-of-state; RN-to-BSN $464/credit; MSN/DNP $816/credit; DNP nurse anesthesia $925/$1,175/$1,388 per credit
- Admission: BSN, 3.5 high school GPA and 27 ACT or 1280 SAT for direct entry, or 2.75 GPA and TEAS for junior entry; MSN/DNP, BSN, 3.0 GPA, RN license, one year experience
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.6% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,437 (bachelor's), $107,376 (master's), per College Scorecard
University of Jamestown frames its BSN around bio-psycho-social-spiritual patient care, with internships between the junior and senior years and preceptorships completed locally or in Kenya or Malawi. It also runs an online RN-to-BSN with flexible testing and 24/7 access to materials.
- Programs: BSN
- Campus: Jamestown
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: BSN $22,718/year; RN-to-BSN $330/credit
- Admission: Completed first semester of sophomore year, 3.2 GPA, prerequisites in psychology, sociology, and sciences; direct entry, 3.4 high school GPA and 25 ACT or 1200 SAT; RN-to-BSN adds an RN license
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.5% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,859 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard
North Dakota State University offers three BSN paths: a prelicensure track, a mostly online LPN track, and a fully online RN-to-BSN. Its DNP prepares family nurse practitioners and arranges clinical placements.
- Programs: BSN; DNP
- Campus: Fargo
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: BSN $5,332/year in-state, $5,972 Minnesota, $7,997 out-of-state; DNP $483/$613/$724 per credit
- Admission: BSN, prenursing prerequisites and 2.75 GPA; RN-to-BSN, ADN, 2.75 GPA, RN license; DNP, BSN, 3.0 GPA, RN license
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.6% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,397 (bachelor's), $107,072 (doctoral), per College Scorecard
Lake Region State College prepares certified nurse aides, paramedics-to-nurses, practical nurses, and RNs, with a focus on licensure-exam readiness. Paramedics and LPNs earn associate degrees to become RNs, covering adult, maternal-child, and psychosocial nursing and community health.
- Programs: PN; ADN
- Campus: Devils Lake
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $170/credit
- Admission: PN, high school diploma or GED, 2.5 GPA, TEAS; ADN, LPN or paramedic completion and license, 2.75 GPA, TEAS
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.4% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,776 (associate), per College Scorecard
North Dakota State College of Science offers practical nursing (AAS), registered nursing (AAS), and an LPN-to-RN ASN. Graduates qualify for licensure and employment or transfer into bachelor's or graduate programs.
- Programs: PN; RN
- Campus: Wahpeton
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $150/credit in-state, $168 Minnesota, $180 out-of-state plus Manitoba and Saskatchewan
- Admission: PN AAS, high school diploma or GED, 2.0 GPA, ACT; RN AAS, 2.25 GPA, ACT, CNA certificate; RN ASN, LPN completion and license, 2.25 GPA, ACT
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,673 (associate), per College Scorecard
Williston State College offers a one-year certificate (LPN) or a two-year AAS (RN), with some coursework online. The certificate qualifies graduates as LPNs or as a step toward the AAS and RN licensure.
- Programs: PN; RN
- Campus: Williston
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: NLN CNEA (preaccreditation)
- Tuition: $193/credit
- Admission: PN, 2.5 high school GPA, 19 ACT, TEAS, prerequisites at 2.75 GPA; RN, PN completion, LPN license, 2.75 GPA
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,415 (associate), per College Scorecard
Dickinson State University offers a BSN RN-completion program and an associate in practical nursing, with classes on campus and clinicals on and off campus. BSN core courses include health assessment, clinical concepts, and community health.
- Programs: AASPN; BSN
- Campus: Dickinson
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $249-$319/credit
- Admission: Practical nursing, 2.25 high school GPA or GED of 145 or 450; BSN, 2.5 college GPA and nursing license
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.2% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,415 (associate), per College Scorecard
Bismarck State College prepares practical nurses and associate-level RNs, with a PN-to-RN ladder. Most courses run on campus or by live interactive video, and clinical rotations take place at local healthcare organizations.
- Programs: PN certificate to ADN
- Campus: Bismarck
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $235/credit in-state, $263 Minnesota, $352 out-of-state plus Manitoba and Saskatchewan
- Admission: PN, high school diploma or GED, 2.5 GPA, age 18 at start, CPR certification, math prerequisites or placement, readiness testing; ADN, PN or paramedic-to-nurse completion, 2.75 GPA in major courses, 2.5 overall, admission exam
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $55,964 (associate), per College Scorecard
Sitting Bull College runs nursing programs on the Standing Rock Reservation, offering an associate in practical nursing with an emphasis on holistic care. Core courses include the nursing profession, holistic health assessment across the lifespan, fundamental interventions, and a capstone.
- Programs: Associate of science in practical nursing
- Campus: Fort Yates
- Type: Tribal
- Accreditation: HLC
- Tuition: $1,800/semester
- Admission: Prerequisites with a C or higher, 2.3 cumulative GPA, background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
How to Choose a Program
Match the program to your goals, then check three things that signal quality and value: accreditation status, recent NCLEX pass rates, and graduation rates. Weigh tuition, program length, and financial aid against the time you can commit. Confirm accreditation before you apply, since it affects financial aid eligibility, credit transfer, and admission to graduate programs later.
Why Become a Nurse in North Dakota
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects above-average growth for nursing in North Dakota through 2030. RN jobs are projected to grow about 16.5% and nurse practitioner jobs about 31.4% over that period. Pair that with a relatively high NCLEX-RN pass rate (91.6%) and a below-average cost of living, and the state holds up well for new nurses.
North Dakota belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, which now includes 41 states. A multistate license issued through the compact lets you practice in any other compact state, including telehealth across state lines, without applying for a separate license in each one.
Salary and Job Outlook
North Dakota RNs earn below the national average, which fits the state's lower cost of living. As of May 2024, RNs in the state earned roughly $73,000 a year, against a national median of $93,600 (BLS). Nurse practitioners earn more and also run below national norms; the national median for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $132,050 in May 2024. Nationally, RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034 with about 189,100 openings a year, and APRN employment is projected to grow 35% over the same period (BLS). Salaries are highest in the Fargo and Bismarck metro areas.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse
North Dakota's licensing path mirrors most other states. Complete a program approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing, then pass the NCLEX-RN (for RNs) or earn national certification in your specialty (for APRNs). Both RNs and APRNs complete continuing education to keep their licenses active.
RN Requirements
Graduate from an accredited ADN or BSN program recognized by the state board, pass the NCLEX-RN, and submit a licensure application with the required fee. RNs renew every two years. Renewal requires 12 contact hours within the period and 400 practice hours within the last four years; first-time renewers are exempt from the contact hours. Confirm current fees with the board.
APRN Requirements
Hold an unencumbered RN license, earn an MSN or DNP, and qualify for specialty certification through a national body. Submit the APRN application with the required fees. APRNs renew their RN and certification every two years, completing 12 contact hours and 400 practice hours within the last four years. Those with prescriptive authority also complete 15 hours of pharmacotherapy education every two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurses make in North Dakota?
RNs earned about $73,000 a year as of May 2024 (BLS), below the national median of $93,600. Nurse practitioners earn more but also run below national norms; the national APRN median was $132,050 in May 2024.
Are nurses in demand in North Dakota?
Yes. State projections estimate roughly 16.5% RN and 31.4% nurse practitioner job growth through 2030. Nationally, the BLS projects 5% RN growth and 35% APRN growth from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 RN openings each year.
How long does it take to become an RN?
Full-time ADN students finish in about two years; BSN students in about four.
How do I get a nursing license in North Dakota?
Earn an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply to the North Dakota Board of Nursing with the required fee. Renew every two years.
Can I practice in other states with a North Dakota license?
Yes. North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license issued here lets you practice in the other 40 compact states, including by telehealth across state lines, without a separate license.