Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

North Dakota has dozens of accredited nursing programs across community colleges and four-year universities, listed in full on this page. Every school on this page is verified in the federal IPEDS database and carries either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. The map above plots each program's location and the sortable table below shows in-state tuition, program length, and completion rate for direct comparison.

Question 2

Which North Dakota nursing program has the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The North Dakota Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved program in the state. Rates fluctuate year to year. Our NCLEX pass rates guide compiles the most recent state-level and top-program data for North Dakota and every other state, updated after each board release. Check the current annual report from North Dakota Board of Nursing before your final enrollment decision.

Question 3

What is the average cost of nursing school in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Public community college ADN programs in North Dakota typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per year for state residents. Public university BSN programs run $8,000 to $15,000 per year in-state and $22,000 to $35,000 per year out-of-state. Private university BSN programs charge $28,000 to $45,000 per year regardless of residency. Institutional aid, state grants, and federal Pell grants substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost for most students.

Question 4

Do North Dakota hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses or require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Most North Dakota hospitals hire ADN registered nurses for medical-surgical, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Larger urban systems and magnet-status facilities increasingly prefer or require a BSN for hospital positions, especially in specialty units like ICU, ER, and OR. If you start at ADN level, plan for an online RN-to-BSN completion within three years of your first job. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for this bridge.

Question 5

How does North Dakota RN licensure work?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a North Dakota Board of Nursing approved program, apply for RN licensure through North Dakota Board of Nursing, complete a criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the complete step-by-step process, including timing, fees, and endorsement rules for nurses moving to North Dakota from other states.

Question 6

Is North Dakota part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Accepted Answer

Compact membership varies by state and changes as legislatures act. Once you hold a compact-state RN license, you can practice in any of the 41 other compact states without additional licensure. Check the current status of North Dakota in the Nurse Licensure Compact through North Dakota Board of Nursing before assuming multi-state privileges. Non-compact states require endorsement application and fees for each additional state you plan to practice in.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows RN median wages in North Dakota vary significantly by metro area, hospital type, and specialty. Statewide medians typically fall between $65,000 and $90,000 per year. Urban acute care and specialty units pay above the state median. Rural and long-term care settings pay below. Travel nursing contracts in North Dakota commonly pay $2,000 to $2,800 per week. Full salary breakdown by specialty and years of experience is on the nurse salary guide.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to North Dakota residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. North Dakota residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six commonly-available accredited online programs are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students at local North Dakota hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are particularly popular for working nurses in North Dakota who need scheduling flexibility around 12-hour shift work.

Question 9

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a North Dakota nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Nursing programs in North Dakota typically require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in North Dakota offer these prerequisites at low cost and credits transfer directly to state university BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first-choice program.

Question 10

How long does nursing school take in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the program type. Practical nurse (LPN) diploma programs run 12 to 18 months. Associate degree (ADN) programs at community colleges run two years. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities take four years. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for working nurses typically take 12 to 24 months of part-time study.


Bismarck State College	Bismarck, ND	$5,247	Public	47%
Dakota College at Bottineau	Bottineau, ND	$5,388	Public	48%
Dickinson State University	Dickinson, ND	$9,118	Public	51%
Lake Region State College	Devils Lake, ND	$5,520	Public	52%
Mayville State University	Mayville, ND	$7,979	Public	41%
Minot State University	Minot, ND	$8,702	Public	45%
North Dakota State College of Science	Wahpeton, ND	$5,974	Public	55%
North Dakota State University-Main Campus	Fargo, ND	$11,110	Public	64%
Rasmussen University-North Dakota	Fargo, ND	$13,957	Private for-profit	29%
University of Jamestown	Jamestown, ND	$24,990	Private non-profit	49%
University of Mary	Bismarck, ND	$22,356	Private non-profit	67%
University of North Dakota	Grand Forks, ND	$10,951	Public	60%
Williston State College	Williston, ND	$6,128	Public	42%

Nursing Programs in North Dakota

All accredited programs in North Dakota

Top-completion nursing programs in North Dakota

University of Mary

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

University of North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science

Lake Region State College

Becoming an RN in North Dakota

Paying for nursing school in North Dakota

Prefer to start online this month? North Dakota residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in North Dakota

Compare programs in nearby states

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