Best Colleges in North Dakota

Originally founded in 1883, six years before its namesake achieved statehood, the University of North Dakota now serves roughly 13,500 students each year.

The school delivers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as American Indian studies, biomedical sciences, criminal justice, and geological engineering. The university also offers a diverse array of fully online classes and programs, increasing educational access for working professionals and students in more rural parts of the state.

Students at UND can access resources like personalized academic advising, in-person and online tutoring, and career exploration and counseling. The university also provides custom support to international students and members of the armed forces. This holistic network of assistance has helped contribute to a recent 38% increase in the school's four-year graduation rate.

To apply to UND as an undergraduate student, you must have a high school diploma with a GPA of at least 2.75. Applicants under the age of 25 must also submit ACT or SAT scores. Graduate applicants typically must have a bachelor's degree and take either the GMAT or the GRE.

Fully online and asynchronous programs at Minot State University give learners the flexibility to explore subjects such as early childhood education, sport management, and nursing on their own schedule. At the university's campus in the northern part of the state, students can pursue an additional 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as addiction studies, history, and political science.

In the MSU honors program, students take a series of courses that lead to a minor and honors distinction on their transcript. The program also involves regular seminar discussions, independent study and research opportunities, and service-learning activities. The average high school GPA for incoming honors students is 3.75.

Undergraduate applicants must submit high school or GED transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. MSU makes admissions decisions based on both GPA and entrance exam score. For example, an applicant with a GPA of 3.0 and an ACT score of 20 receives automatic admission, while a prospective student with a GPA of 2.0 and an ACT score of 17 may earn only provisional acceptance.

With more than $150 million in annual research spending, North Dakota State University ranks as one of the top public research universities in the United States. This status informs classroom instruction, providing students with access to rigorous and data-driven education in subjects like agricultural economics, crop and weed sciences, landscape architecture, and veterinary technology. The university also offers fully online master's degrees and graduate certificates.

Generally, first-year applicants need at least a 2.75 high school GPA to qualify for admission. NDSU also recommends a composite ACT score of at least 22 or an SAT score of 1100 or higher. Transfer applicants who have earned fewer than 24 college credits must also submit ACT or SAT scores.

You can lower the cost of your education at NDSU in several ways. The university offers significant scholarship awards to prospective learners who excel academically. A cultural diversity tuition waiver is also available to students of color, refugees, and members of other underrepresented groups.

The University of Jamestown features small, interactive classes that allow students to develop strong connections with their instructors and fellow learners. In addition, because the university does not hire graduate assistants, full- or part-time faculty members teach all courses, helping ensure students benefit from expert instruction. Likely a result of this focus on student learning, 98% of UJ graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within six months of earning their degree.

The university offers both graduate and undergraduate programs in fields such as leadership, education, clinical counseling, and physical therapy. Four bachelor's degrees and three master's degrees are also available online, with curricula specifically designed for distance education students.

First-year applicants typically need a high school GPA of at least 2.5 and an ACT score of 19 or higher (or 990 or higher on the SAT). Prospective students with lower scores must submit an essay outlining their plans for college success. All undergraduate students who live on campus are guaranteed at least $8,000 per year in scholarship funding.