The Best Online Colleges in North Dakota
Are you ready to discover your college program?
North Dakota’s online colleges offer programs that prepare students for some of the highest-paying careers in medicine, architecture, and criminal justice.
Many of North Dakota’s top-paying industries require a college degree. Professionals in business, advanced manufacturing, natural resources management, and healthcare benefit from earning an online degree. Online colleges in North Dakota grant associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees at affordable tuition rates.
Online colleges offer a flexible route to a college degree. Learners can choose between asynchronous, accelerated, and self-paced programs. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many colleges to move to an online-only system. The necessity of providing online education increased the amount of resources institutions devoted to their distance learning programs.
North Dakota’s colleges stand out for their diverse programs and affordability. In the 2018-2019 school year, public universities in the U.S. charged an average tuition rate of $9,200 per year. In contrast, North Dakota’s public universities cost around $8,000.
This page ranks the best online colleges in North Dakota. Prospective applicants can use this ranking to find the right fit for their unique needs and career goals.
The Best Online Colleges in North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,212
- Out-of-state$14,371
- In-State$10,534
- Out-of-state$18,434
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled13,581
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
North Dakota State University
- Fargo, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,275
- Out-of-state$12,413
- In-State$6,743
- Out-of-state$10,115
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled13,173
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Valley City State University
- Valley City, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,884
- Out-of-state$10,297
- In-State$5,872
- Out-of-state$5,872
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled1,665
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Dickinson State University
- Dickinson, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,522
- Out-of-state$9,782
- In-State$5,826
- Out-of-state$5,826
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled1,350
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Mayville State University
- Mayville, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,793
- Out-of-state$8,690
- In-State$5,580
- Out-of-state$5,580
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled1,212
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
North Dakota
2022
Online Colleges in North Dakota Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyFeatured Online Programs
Employment in North Dakota
The employment outlook in North Dakota remains strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the state’s unemployment rate remained at a below-average 4% in June 2021, compared to the national unemployment rate of 5.9%. In May 2020, the mean annual wage in North Dakota was $52,450. North Dakotans also benefit from a low cost of living. Compared to the national cost of living index of 100, North Dakota reports an 89.9.
North Dakota’s major industries include energy, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. Careers in these fields typically require a college degree. According to July 2019 census data, 30% of North Dakotans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, slightly below the national average of 32.1%.
North Dakotans with a college degree stand out in the job market. The state’s colleges charge below-average tuition rates, making earning a degree in North Dakota a smart investment.
The following information compares the highest-paying roles that employ more than 1,000 individuals in North Dakota. Salary information applies specifically to North Dakota, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Median Salary (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $212,990 | 4% | Medical degree |
| Financial Managers | $140,740 | 15% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Lawyers | $113,480 | 4% | Law degree |
| Construction Managers | $110,190 | 8% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Pharmacists | $103,440 | -3% | Doctorate degree (Pharm.D) |
| Career | Annual Median Salary (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks | $43,540 | -5% | High school diploma |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,080 | 0% | No formal education |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,400 | 10% | No formal education |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,550 | 2% | High school diploma |
| Registered Nurses | $69,630 | 7% | Associate degree |
Online Associate Degrees
An associate degree provides basic training for the workforce. The degree also helps students who are seeking an affordable route to a bachelor’s degree.
Many North Dakota community colleges offer online associate degrees in academic and vocational subjects. At Bismarck State College, students can pursue business administration, cybersecurity, criminal justice, and management programs.
The college’s vocational programs include options for administrative assistants, electronics technicians, and information processing specialists. North Dakota State College of Science offers associate degrees for restaurant managers, web developers, and pharmacy technicians.
Online Graduate Degrees
Online colleges in North Dakota offer graduate degrees with flexible enrollment options. A master’s degree in business, education, or computer science helps professionals increase their earning potential and move into leadership roles. The pandemic increased North Dakota’s online degree options, allowing more students to earn their degrees remotely.
At the University of North Dakota, graduate students can pursue degrees in accounting, counseling, data science, and nursing. UND also offers an online MBA program. The University of Mary offers online programs in high-demand areas like business, education, and nursing. When considering an online degree, a prospective applicant should consider class enrollment options and transfer credit policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in North Dakota
Yes. North Dakota colleges charge below-average tuition rates. For example, while four-year public colleges charge over $9,200 per year on average in tuition and fees, North Dakota public colleges cost around $8,000, according to 2018-2019 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in North Dakota typically takes four years. Most associate programs take two years, as do most master’s programs.
Students in North Dakota pursue degrees in business, healthcare, education, and technology. These degrees prepare graduates for in-demand career paths.
