logo

North Dakota Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide is designed to provide you with essential information on the nursing programs available in the state of North Dakota. North Dakota’s colleges and universities afford students the opportunity to earn an undergraduate or a graduate degree in nursing, specializing in such areas as family nurse practitioner and nursing education. Students who prefer a more flexible, convenient alternative to earning a nursing degree may want to consider enrolling in a bachelor’s or a master’s in nursing program that offers some or most of the courses online.

    Quick Facts

    • 15 schools with nursing programs in North Dakota are in our database (see below).
    • 9 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 7 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 3 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
    • No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 2 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in North Dakota

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

    • University of North Dakota

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • University of North Dakota (#102 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • North Dakota State University (#92 tie)
    • University of North Dakota (#105 tie)

    Keep reading to learn more about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in North Dakota and online.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in North Dakota

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit North Dakota nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the North Dakota Board of Nursing (https://www.ndbon.org/).

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Bismarck State CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%N/A93.75%N/A$9,332
    Dakota College at BottineauYesNoNoNo91.67%N/A85.71%N/A$9,722
    Dickinson State UniversityYesYesNoACEN3.10%N/A88.89%N/A$11,134
    Lake Region State CollegeYesNoNoACEN96%N/A96.43%N/A$9,453
    Mayville State UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$12,249
    Minot State UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A94.74%N/A$10,756
    North Dakota State College of ScienceYesNoNoACEN100%N/AN/AN/A$10,889
    North Dakota State UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92.59%N/A$14,654
    Sitting Bull State CollegeYesNoNoNo100%N/AN/AN/A$1,494
    Turtle Mountain Community CollegeYesNoNoNo80%N/AN/AN/A$2,487
    United Tribes Technical CollegeYesNoNoNo61.54%N/AN/AN/A$6,861
    University of JamestownNoYesNoACENN/AN/A83.33%N/A$16,772
    University of MaryNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92.59%N/A$16,260
    University of North DakotaNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A83.08%N/A$16,001
    Williston State CollegeYesNoNoNo84.62%N/A95.45%N/A$12,765

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates are for first-time undergraduates testing during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in North Dakota with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Dakota College at Bottineau
    Dakota College at Bottineau maintains an associate degree nursing program that emphasizes evidence-based education and patient care. Students may complete the program on a direct entry track or on an LPN to RN track. Courses in the curriculum include Maternal Child Nursing, Health Promotion and Psych Nursing, and Alterations in Health. Students also complete clinical hours to apply and further develop classroom and lab-based learning. For admissions consideration, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all nursing prerequisites and complete pre-admissions testing. Program cohorts begin each fall. Dakota College also offers a practical nursing certification program.

    North Dakota State College of Science
    North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) offers an Associate in Science in Nursing degree that is structured as a second-degree program for those who already hold an associate’s degree in practical nursing. The registered nursing (RN) component of this program can be completed in one year. An Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available for students who have not previously completed an associate’s degree. Both programs prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required for RN licensure. Program graduates are also prepared to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at a four-year school. NDSCS additionally offers an Associate in Applied Science in Practical Nursing program.

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    University of North Dakota
    The University of North Dakota’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, the largest in the state, requires students to complete general college coursework in the liberal arts in addition to a rigorous nursing curriculum, which begins in the junior year. Nursing courses focus on the complex childbearing family, child health nursing theory, adult nursing care, health promotion, and assessment across the lifespan. Nursing majors will also complete mandatory practicums. Practicums typically span six weeks, earning students four credits toward the BSN. The UND College of Nursing awards scholarships to eligible nursing students, with applications due each spring.

    Dickinson State University
    Dickinson State University provides students who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing with the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the BSN completion program. Students must complete 130 credits, 64 of which are in the BSN completion program. The remaining 66 credits are generally transferred from the associate’s degree. The curriculum includes general education and nursing coursework. Nursing courses focus on nursing role transition, community health, clinical concepts, nursing research, and health assessment. Nursing majors may want to become involved on campus by joining the Nursing Students’ Association. Applications are due by February 1 of each year.

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    North Dakota State University
    North Dakota State University confers of the Master of Science (MS) – Nurse Educator to students who successfully complete its 42 credit program. Graduate students will complete 11 credits in core courses and an additional 31 credits in the nursing educator concentration. Core courses consist of advanced nursing research, ethics and policy, theoretical principles of the discipline, and healthcare delivery systems, financing, and informatics. Concentration-specific coursework encompasses curriculum design, teaching strategies, education evaluation, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. A thesis is mandatory. Graduate students also complete two practicums during the program. Applications are due at least one month before the start of each semester.

    University of Mary
    Graduate students can pursue an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Leadership and Management at the University of Mary. The 36-credit program is divided into core courses and Nursing Leadership & Management specialty coursework. Core courses focus on universal nursing topics, including nursing research, nursing leadership, healthcare law and policy. Graduate nursing students can expect to complete a minimum of 500 experiential- hours. Successful applicants to the program will be transiting from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) into this MSN program.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    University of North Dakota
    Grand Forks, ND 58202
    (701) 777-3000
    https://und.edu/

    Student Review: “My nursing program was really great academically. The classes focused of up to date and evidence-based practices so that we were as educated as possible for the current nursing practice. They prepared us well for going out after graduation to find our first job, and how to get through our first interviews. My graduation year counted as the third year in a row that my nursing school achieved number one in the nation for most students in a graduating class passing their Nursing boards on their first try. They made sure we worked hard for what we were trying to achieve, but it was worth it in the end when I was able to say I accepted a job at mayo clinic, one of the best hospitals in the nation.” -Student at University of North Dakota
    stars-4

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. North Dakota Board of Nursing: https://www.ndbon.org/Education/EdAnnualRpt.asp