North Dakota has five main colleges producing BSN graduates, serving a rural state where nurses are in high demand. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you want to train as a nurse in North Dakota, where long distances and small towns shape health care. A Catholic university in Bismarck and the state’s two research universities are your main options. Here is how they compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in North Dakota that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
North Dakota nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Mary | Bismarck | Private nonprofit | 66% | 81 | $75,901 | $23,650 |
| 2 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Fargo | Public | 65% | 178 | $76,011 | $11,738 |
| 3 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | Public | 61% | 122 | $76,869 | $11,645 |
| 4 | Minot State University | Minot | Public | 45% | 70 | $78,958 | $9,192 |
| 5 | Mayville State University | Mayville | Public | 40% | 26 | $78,359 | $8,337 |
Also offering a BSN in North Dakota (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-North Dakota | Fargo | Private for-profit | 42% | 20 | $77,969 | $15,207 |
Top North Dakota nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Mary
The University of Mary in Bismarck is a Catholic Benedictine university with a large nursing programme, and tops our North Dakota list.
- Graduation rate: 66%, number 1 in North Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 81 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,901 one year after graduating
- Cost: $23,650 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 75%
2. North Dakota State University-Main Campus
North Dakota State University in Fargo offers a public BSN, with sites in Fargo and Bismarck in partnership with Sanford Health.
- Graduation rate: 65%, number 2 in North Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 178 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,011 one year after graduating
- Cost: $11,738 in-state tuition ($16,672 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 95%
3. University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks offers a public BSN through its College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 3 in North Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 122 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,869 one year after graduating
- Cost: $11,645 in-state tuition ($16,541 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 77%
4. Minot State University
Minot State University in western North Dakota offers a smaller public nursing programme.
- Graduation rate: 45%, number 4 in North Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 70 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $78,958 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,192 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 65%
5. Mayville State University
Mayville State University is a small public university in eastern North Dakota offering a BSN.
- Graduation rate: 40%, number 5 in North Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 26 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $78,359 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,337 in-state tuition ($11,775 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: open or not reported
Ways to become a registered nurse in North Dakota
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in North Dakota offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 6 colleges in North Dakota produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 497 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which North Dakota nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Mary has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 66%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in North Dakota?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 178 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in North Dakota?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $75,901 to $78,958, with a typical (median) figure of about $77,419. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in North Dakota?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $8,337 to $11,738 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the North Dakota Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the North Dakota Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), North Dakota Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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