Nursing Schools in North Dakota (2026)
17 accredited nursing programs found
North Dakota has 17 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with 13 public and 4 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $8,731, with public schools averaging $6,983 and private schools averaging $16,305. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $5,195 to $9,118 — among the narrowest tuition ranges of any state. The cheapest tracked program is Turtle Mountain Community College at $2,626 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is North Dakota State University-Main Campus at approximately 9,567.
Across North Dakota programs the average graduation rate is 49.1 percent and the average retention rate is 72.4 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $50,616 — among the higher in this group — and median federal debt at graduation averages $17,121. The state's healthcare employer base is dominated by Sanford Health, Essentia Health, and Altru Health System, with most major employment in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
Registered Nurse Market in North Dakota
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in North Dakota
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the North Dakota average of $8,731.
Matches the North Dakota average of 49.1%.
Matches the North Dakota median of $50,616.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $6,983 |
| Lowest Tuition | $2,626 |
| Highest Tuition | $24,820 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $16,305 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 49.1% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $48,579 |
| Avg Student Debt | $17,121 |
| Total Enrollment | 34,107 |
All Nursing Schools in North Dakota
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Fargo | Public | $10,857 | 9,567 |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | Public | $10,951 | 9,296 |
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Public | $5,195 | 2,629 |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | Private | $21,468 | 2,280 |
| Minot State University | Minot | Public | $8,634 | 2,072 |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | Public | $5,928 | 1,733 |
| Dickinson State University | Dickinson | Public | $9,118 | 1,108 |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown | Private | $24,820 | 947 |
| Valley City State University | Valley City | Public | $8,514 | 918 |
| Mayville State University | Mayville | Public | $7,935 | 704 |
| Williston State College | Williston | Public | $4,938 | 686 |
| Turtle Mountain Community College | Belcourt | Private | $2,626 | 613 |
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Public | $5,478 | 599 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | Bottineau | Public | $5,347 | 417 |
| Sitting Bull College | Fort Yates | Public | $4,010 | 226 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo | Fargo | For-Profit | N/A | 173 |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College | New Town | Public | $3,870 | 139 |
Nursing Schools by City in North Dakota
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in North Dakota?
What is the average nursing school tuition in North Dakota?
What is the average graduation rate for nursing schools in North Dakota?
What is the average retention rate in North Dakota?
What do graduates from nursing schools in North Dakota earn?
What is the average student debt at nursing schools in North Dakota?
How much do registered nurses earn in North Dakota?
What is the RN job outlook for North Dakota?
North Dakota Nursing Market Context
BLS data for North Dakota shows an RN median annual wage of $70,040 and a mean of $72,160. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $52,740 to $92,410. Statewide RN employment is approximately 9,530 and the projected growth rate is 4 percent — below the national 6 percent figure.
Median program debt of $17,121 against a $70,040 RN median wage produces a workable payback profile. The 90th-percentile figure of $92,410 sits just below the national RN median, indicating a compressed RN-tier wage ceiling. North Dakota's cost of living is below the national average and, crucially, the energy-sector economy in the western part of the state creates pockets of unusually high demand and shift-differential pay for travel and contract nurses willing to commit to remote placements.