North Dakota Nursing Schools and Programs
Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in North Dakota can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the North Dakota licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of North Dakota as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in North Dakota.
North Dakota Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.
While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many North Dakota nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of North Dakota.
Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing North Dakota RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in North Dakota.
Nursing Schools
List Of Nursing Schools In North Dakota
Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in North Dakota. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. RN schools in ND will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.
Click the name of any North Dakota nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.
Bismarck State College
1500 Edwards Avenue,
Bismarck,
ND
58506
701-224-5400
Bismarck State College is a Public institution with a campus in Bismarck, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Bismarck, North Dakota campus for Bismarck State College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,065. In-state tuition and fees were $5,247 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $5,247
- Room and Board $8,273
- Acceptance Rate Open
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
214 1st Ave,
Fort Totten,
ND
58335
701-766-4415
Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Fort Totten, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Fort Totten, North Dakota campus for Cankdeska Cikana Community College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 316. In-state tuition and fees were $3,950 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: PRE
- Tuition Cost $3,950
- Acceptance Rate Open
Dakota College at Bottineau
105 Simrall Blvd,
Bottineau,
ND
58318
701-228-2277
Dakota College at Bottineau is a Public institution with a campus in Bottineau, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Bottineau, North Dakota campus for Dakota College at Bottineau is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,080. In-state tuition and fees were $5,173 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $5,173
- Room and Board $8,465
- Acceptance Rate Open
Dickinson State University
291 Campus Drive,
Dickinson,
ND
58601
701-483-2507
Dickinson State University is a Public institution with a campus in Dickinson, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Dickinson, North Dakota campus for Dickinson State University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,453. In-state tuition and fees were $9,118 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, BSN
- Tuition Cost $9,118
- Room and Board $8,564
- Acceptance Rate 60%
Lake Region State College
1801 College Dr N,
Devils Lake,
ND
58301
701-662-1600
Lake Region State College is a Public institution with a campus in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Devils Lake, North Dakota campus for Lake Region State College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,810. In-state tuition and fees were $5,520 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $5,520
- Room and Board $9,490
- Acceptance Rate Open
Mayville State University
330 Third Street NE,
Mayville,
ND
58257
701-788-2301
Mayville State University is a Public institution with a campus in Mayville, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Mayville, North Dakota campus for Mayville State University is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,025. In-state tuition and fees were $7,979 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Post-MSN
- Tuition Cost $7,979
- Room and Board $9,641
- Acceptance Rate Open
Medcenter One College of Nursing
512 N. Seventh St,
Bismarck,
ND
58501
701-323-6271
Medcenter One College of Nursing is a institution with a campus in Bismarck, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
Minot State University
500 University Avenue West,
Minot,
ND
58707
701-858-3000
Minot State University is a Public institution with a campus in Minot, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Minot, North Dakota campus for Minot State University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,741. In-state tuition and fees were $8,701 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $8,701
- Room and Board $8,534
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- ACT Score 18-24
North Dakota State College of Science
800 North 6th Street,
Wahpeton,
ND
58076
701-671-2403
North Dakota State College of Science is a Public institution with a campus in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Wahpeton, North Dakota campus for North Dakota State College of Science is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,942. In-state tuition and fees were $5,880 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $5,880
- Room and Board $6,870
- Acceptance Rate Open
North Dakota State University
1301 12th Avenue North,
Fargo,
ND
58108
701-231-8011
North Dakota State University is a Public institution with a campus in Fargo, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Fargo, North Dakota campus for North Dakota State University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 11,952. In-state tuition and fees were $11,110 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP
- Tuition Cost $11,110
- Room and Board $9,928
- Acceptance Rate 96%
- ACT Score 19-24
Presentation College
8000 6th Street North, Wahpeton, ND 58076
Presentation College is a institution with a campus in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. …
Rasmussen University - North Dakota
4012 19th Avenue SW,
Fargo,
ND
58103
701-277-3889
Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a Private for-profit institution with a campus in Fargo, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Fargo, North Dakota campus for Rasmussen University - North Dakota is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 496. In-state tuition and fees were $10,849 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $10,849
- Acceptance Rate Open
Sitting Bull College
9299 Hwy 24,
Fort Yates,
ND
58538
701-854-8000
Sitting Bull College is a Public institution with a campus in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Fort Yates, North Dakota campus for Sitting Bull College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 257. In-state tuition and fees were $4,010 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $4,010
- Room and Board $5,850
- Acceptance Rate Open
United Tribes Technical College
3315 University Drive,
Bismarck,
ND
58504
701-255-3285
United Tribes Technical College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Bismarck, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Bismarck, North Dakota campus for United Tribes Technical College is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 542. In-state tuition and fees were $4,632 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: PRE
- Tuition Cost $4,632
- Room and Board $5,100
- Acceptance Rate Open
University of Jamestown
6000 College Lane,
Jamestown,
ND
58405
701-252-3467
University of Jamestown is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Jamestown, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Jamestown, North Dakota campus for University of Jamestown is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,242. In-state tuition and fees were $24,200 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $24,200
- Room and Board $8,560
- Acceptance Rate 92%
University of Mary
7500 University Dr,
Bismarck,
ND
58504
701-255-7500
University of Mary is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Bismarck, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Bismarck, North Dakota campus for University of Mary is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,794. In-state tuition and fees were $22,356 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP
- Tuition Cost $22,356
- Room and Board $9,276
- Acceptance Rate 78%
University of North Dakota
264 Centennial Drive,
Grand Forks,
ND
58202
800-225-5863
University of North Dakota is a Public institution with a campus in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Grand Forks, North Dakota campus for University of North Dakota is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 14,172. In-state tuition and fees were $10,951 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Post-MSN, DNP, DNAP, PhD
- Tuition Cost $10,951
- Room and Board $11,390
- Acceptance Rate 77%
Williston State College
1410 University Avenue,
Williston,
ND
58801
701-774-4200
Williston State College is a Public institution with a campus in Williston, North Dakota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The Williston, North Dakota campus for Williston State College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 912. In-state tuition and fees were $6,114 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,114
- Room and Board $8,847
- Acceptance Rate Open
How To Become
How do I become a nurse in North Dakota?
If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of North Dakota, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your North Dakota registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of North Dakota, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your North Dakota practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
How Long It Takes
How long is nursing school in North Dakota?
The amount of time you spend in a North Dakota nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a North Dakota Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.
Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in North Dakota. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of North Dakota, along with the average wages earned at each education level.
Notice that in the state of North Dakota, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Dakota earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which North Dakota nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.
Tuition Cost
How much does nursing school in North Dakota cost?
Tuition for a nursing school in North Dakota will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in North Dakota cost more, between $4,500 to $11,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).
To help reduce the cost of nursing school in North Dakota, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.
Difficulty
Is it hard to get into a North Dakota nursing school?
We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each North Dakota nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in North Dakota provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.
If you are having trouble getting accepted into a North Dakota nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.
Compact State
Is North Dakota a nursing compact state?
Yes, North Dakota is part of the nursing license compact. North Dakota recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a North Dakota Licensed Practical Nurse or a North Dakota Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.
Last updated: February 5, 2026
References:
- North Dakota Nursing License Requirements. State of North Dakota, Board of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- North Dakota State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Tuition And Characteristics Of North Dakota Colleges. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- North Dakota Nurse Licensure Compact Status. NCSBN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.