Best Online Colleges in North Dakota

Established in 1883 -- six years before North Dakota's statehood -- the University of North Dakota is the oldest public research university in the state. The school's 550-acre campus in Grand Forks is home to North Dakota's only law school and school of medicine. UND serves more than 13,000 students each year.

One of the best online colleges in North Dakota, UND offers more than 120 online degrees, certificates, and professional development courses to more than 6,000 learners around the world. UND offers a variety of flexible scheduling options, including self-paced classes; enroll-anytime courses; and standard, semester-based classes. One notable degree option is the school's online Ph.D. in aerospace sciences.

Self-paced courses do not require formal admission. Application requirements for online programs vary by student status and field of study. State residency does not impact per-credit tuition rates for online learners.

Originally founded in 1913 as a small teachers college, Minot State University has since grown to become the third-largest university in the state. Annual enrollment exceeds 3,000 students. This public institution's commitment to meeting the needs of all learners earns it a spot on this list of the best online colleges in North Dakota.

MSU's online offerings include eight certificates, one associate degree, 10 bachelor's degrees, and five master's degrees. Distance students can also pursue several minors, concentrations, and non-degree programs. Several fields are represented among MSU's online offerings, including marketing, human services, and nursing. In keeping with its history as a normal school, MSU also offers a variety of options for educators, including graduate degrees in special education and curriculum and instruction.

Undergraduate admission requirements include ACT scores and official transcripts. Graduate admission requirements vary by program. All online students pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of state residency.

Valley City State University is a public land-grant institution with an annual enrollment of approximately 1,400 students and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1. Originally founded as a normal school in 1890, VCSU continues to uphold a reputation for producing excellent K-12 educators.

A catalog of minors, certificates, and bachelor's and master's degrees makes VCSU one of the best online colleges in North Dakota. While options are available in fields like music, communication, and history, programs in education and teaching make up the bulk of VCSU's online offerings. Aspiring educators can choose from six subject-specific bachelor's degrees, while working educators can advance their skills by earning a master of education or a master of arts in teaching.

First-year admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA and qualifying test scores (a minimum 18 on the ACT or 960 on the SAT). Graduate admission requirements vary by program. Out-of-state online students may qualify for reduced Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition rates.

The final school on this list of the best online colleges in North Dakota is Bismarck State College. The third-largest college in the North Dakota University System, BSC enrolls approximately 3,700 students each year, 44% of whom are enrolled exclusively in online courses.

BSC's online offerings may appeal to first-time college students looking to enhance workplace opportunities or prepare for transfer to a four-year university. Online students can pursue an associate degree in more than a dozen fields, including cybersecurity and computer networks, web development and design, business administration, and criminal justice. Non-degree certificates are also available in water and wastewater technology and electronics technology.

Prospective students must submit a completed application and high school transcripts. Placement testing is required of every incoming BSC student -- this can be satisfied by supplying SAT/ACT scores or by completing the ACCUPLACER exam.