A 2023 Job Service North Dakota report projects that jobs requiring a bachelor's degree will grow 9.17% from 2022 to 2032, while jobs requiring a master's, doctoral, or professional degree will grow 10%.
The best online colleges in North Dakota offer a quality education at affordable prices. Our ranking considers factors such as tuition costs, student-to-teacher ratios, and graduation rates. The availability of financial support, career counseling services, and job placement support also affects rankings.
Top Online Bachelor Colleges in North Dakota
Why Choose North Dakota for Online Higher Education?
In the fall of 2024, 60.2% of students in North Dakota enrolled exclusively in online courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These distance education programs benefit students who work full time, single parents, and other nontraditional students who need help balancing school with personal obligations.
Cost of Attending an Online College in North Dakota
North Dakota's cost of tuition for in-state students is close to the national average, while tuition for out-of-state students is slightly lower than the national average. However, tuition costs vary depending on the type of school (public schools are generally more expensive than private ones) and the degree students pursue.
In-state tuition
$9,728 – public, four-year institution
$5,610 – public, two-year institution
Out-of-state tuition
$14,687 – public, four-year institution
$6,642 – public, two-year institution
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Considering a North Dakota School as an Out-of-State Student
Nonresident students looking to earn an online degree in North Dakota need to consider various factors: in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, reciprocity agreements, and attendance restrictions for distance learners.
Tuition Discounts
Participating "good neighbor" states commonly offer students tuition breaks. States with such agreements are often broken into regional interstate compacts, or groups of states with reciprocity agreements. North Dakota schools, for example, partner with Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin as members of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). The MHEC improves access to higher education through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Established in 1994, the MSEP assures affordable access to higher education. Under the MSEP, public schools agree to charge out-of-state students no more than 150% of in-state tuition.
State Authorizations for Online Learning
Like traditional on-campus programs, online degrees must uphold a certain standard of education to be accredited. For any program, online or on-campus, colleges must be approved by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. As each state may have different standards of education, all schools participating in a reciprocity agreements must be authorized by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Tuition rates are ultimately program- and institution-based. Ask someone from a prospective program about the rates that apply to you specifically as a potential member of that program.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota's Online Schools
This section answers common questions from prospective students selecting a college program. Consider your potential schools from all angles, ensuring the answers below favorably apply to your program of choice.
Do online credits cost more or less in North Dakota?
The cost of online tuition varies depending on the tuition rates of the school. On average, tuition in North Dakota equates to or is lower than tuition in other states. As North Dakota is a member of the MHEC, out-of-state students looking to complete an online program in the state can attend at in-state tuition rates, or close to it.
Traditionally, distance learning is more affordable per credit than traditional on-campus education, both in price per credit hour and in associated costs, such as housing, textbooks, and lab fees.
Which North Dakota schools accept the most transfer credits?
Most nationally or regionally accredited schools will accept transfer credit from other accredited institutions, but see if any stipulations exist. In addition to transferring directly to the school, students often seek to apply credits from a two-year college or vocational school to a four-year undergraduate program. Typically, public schools are willing to accept more credits from transfer students than private institutions. For example, large schools such as the University of Mary and Minot State university will accept up to 60 credits, while small schools, such as the University of Jamestown, evaluate transfer applications on a case-by-case basis.
Through the North Dakota University System (NDUS), students attending an online college in North Dakota find many options for transferring credits. The General Education Requirements Transfer Agreement (GERTA) allows students to apply general education credits to any other North Dakota four-year school. Through articulation agreements between online universities in North Dakota, students may also transfer credits to schools in other participating states, such as Illinois, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
Will any online colleges in North Dakota accept a GED?
Many online schools in North Dakota consider students with a GED for admission. To apply for a GED, a student does not necessarily need to have completed previous study or prerequisite coursework, though adult learning centers across the state offer prep courses. To enroll for any GED testing, applicants must be at least 16 years old; most online universities in North Dakota require students to be at least 18.
Students with their GED undergo testing to prove their competency in four primary academic fields: computer literacy, keyboarding, college readiness, and career orientation. While not all colleges accept applications from students with a GED in place of a high school diploma, most institutions, such as the University of North Dakota, consider students with a GED score of at least 145 to be considered college-ready.
How many academic terms per year do online colleges in North Dakota offer?
Online students often have the option to begin their program at multiple start dates throughout the year. By necessity, traditional on-campus classes are structured with one start date per term. While some online programs follow cohort models, requiring all students to begin instruction at once, many online degrees in North Dakota provide asynchronous courses, which can be completed at any time, students still receive instruction from professors, but specified student-faculty interaction is limited. Distance learners should also see if their asynchronous program can be accelerated; often, multiple start dates allow students to complete a larger course load, thus completing their degree more quickly.
Many online schools in North Dakota, such as the University of North Dakota, Minot State University, Bismarck State College, and North Dakota State University, offer online courses with multiple start dates throughout each term. However, note that some programs require more interaction between students and faculty than others. Such programs may not have as much flexibility.
Which online colleges in North Dakota will accept the FAFSA?
Most public and private schools in North Dakota accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students in need of financial aid should fill out their FAFSA application annually to determine their eligibility for federal financial support. To be eligible for FAFSA, students must be a U.S. citizen, be seeking higher education, and have obtained either a high school diploma or GED. Aid money is granted in terms of loans, scholarships, research grants, and through work-study programs. The FAFSA differs from a College Scholarship Service (CSS) profile. Many schools accept both the FAFSA and CSS, but almost all online colleges in North Dakota accept one or the other.
Are there any free online classes I can take from North Dakota colleges?
Unlike attending classes on-campus, online courses do not often have the flexibility for "sitting in." It is common for large colleges to allow non-students to sit in on lectures and class discussions, even going so far as to contribute to the lesson. Online classes, alternatively, require students to purchase a login in order to access lectures and other course materials. Distance students must be assigned a username and password to take part in any classwork. In some cases, students may attend a sample of an online course available on a school's website. These sample courses often include lectures and assignment examples, but are created with the intent of garnering a potential student's interest in the program. Any course materials completed without being an officially enrolled student will not count toward any degree, nor will the time be applicable as transfer credit to any accredited institution.
How can I find the online program options at North Dakota colleges?
Look into your school's FAQ page and the North Dakota University System (NDUS), which covers topics relating to colleges and universities, academics, applications, and the state board of education. Students can find answers to questions about scholarship opportunities, academic support, applications for transfer, career training, and articulation agreements. On the NDUS site, students can also find information regarding internships and professional organizations available in North Dakota and neighboring states.
North Dakota Grants and Scholarships
In addition to the previously discussed FAFSA, several scholarships for students completing an online degree in North Dakota exist. Students may seek scholarships and financial aid from their school or community; they may also apply for a Pell Grant. See the list below for potential scholarships available to students completing an online program in North Dakota
North Dakota Career & Technical Education Scholarships
Awarded by the North Dakota Legislature, this scholarship targets high school seniors looking to pursue a college degree in North Dakota. University students also qualify to receive funds as long as they are enrolled full time and seeking a degree in technology. Applicants must maintain a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a college GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $6,000 total.
North Dakota Native American Scholarships
Applicants must be residents of North Dakota and members of a recognized Native American tribe. To apply, students must be accepted into an accredited program for higher education or a verified vocational program. Scholarship awards are based on need as well as merit.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,000 per year.
North Dakota Scholars Program
To apply, students must be North Dakota residents enrolled in a two-year or four-year higher education program in North Dakota. Applicants must rank in the 95th percentile of ACT scorers in the year of their scholarship application. Students receive scholarships in descending order until funds are exhausted.
Scholarship Amount: Full tuition
Medical Group Management Association Midwest Section Scholarship
Students living in any MGMA section states, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, and seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in the medical field may apply for this scholarship. Eligible degrees include public health, healthcare administration, medicine, and business.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500