Best Online Colleges in North Dakota

The higher education experts at BestColleges have reviewed top online colleges in North Dakota. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
Tyler Epps
By
Edited by
Updated October 2, 2024
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With an unemployment figure of only 2% (as of March 2024), North Dakota has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with a relatively low cost of living — driven primarily by affordable education, rent, and housing prices — North Dakota is an attractive place to live and work.

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Best Online Colleges in North Dakota

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

University of North Dakota

  • Grand Forks, ND
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

68%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

83%

Retention Rate

$13,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
77%
Students Enrolled
14,172
Institution Type
Public
#2

Minot State University

  • Minot, ND
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

61%

Online Enrollment

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

72%

Retention Rate

$7,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
72%
Students Enrolled
2,741
Institution Type
Public
#3

Valley City State University

  • Valley City, ND
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

53%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,619

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

67%

Retention Rate

$11,583

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
1,754
Institution Type
Public
#4

Bismarck State College

  • Bismarck, ND
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

58%

Online Enrollment

$4,167

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

71%

Retention Rate

$6,251

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
85%
Students Enrolled
3,771
Institution Type
Public

Online Colleges in ND

Some of North Dakota’s major industries include natural resources and energy, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and tourism. However, agriculture remains the largest force in the state’s economic activity. North Dakota leads the nation in production of several commodities, including dry beans, canola, flaxseed, honey, and durum.

Low unemployment is beneficial for workers, meaning many employers offer competitive salaries and benefits packages to attract qualified employees. Individuals looking to advance their knowledge, skills, and overall hireability should consider enrolling at an online college and pursuing a postsecondary education.

While online programs require the same rigorous coursework and result in the same credentials as a traditional, campus-based program, there are key differences between the two. Instead of interacting with peers and professors in a classroom, online students use chat rooms, message boards, emails, and/or webcams to connect.

Asynchronous online programs are particularly popular for their flexibility. In this format, students can access lectures and course material at any time while working toward assignment deadlines. There are no set login times or face-to-face requirements, which may be ideal for working adults, parents, and other busy individuals.

To help you make an informed decision about your higher education options, we have compiled the following ranking of the five best online colleges in North Dakota. Read on to discover relevant information regarding school history and culture, notable program offerings, and admission requirements.

Click here to see the best campus colleges in North Dakota.

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