Best Community Colleges in North Dakota

Although North Dakota is among the least populated and visited states, the Peace Garden State possesses a surprising amount of beauty, experiences all four seasons, and features some of the best online community colleges. The University of North Dakota offers one of the top rural medicine programs in the country, making it possible for community college students to complete their four-year education without leaving the state.

With several community colleges to choose from throughout the state, North Dakota’s students can find small class sizes in a variety of programs. North Dakota offers a truly unique college experience.

From the educational opportunities to the gorgeous fall leaves and the delightful four-season climate, North Dakota boasts some of the best-kept secrets when it comes to education, culture, and simple living.

Among the biggest pluses of the North Dakota community college system is the ease of admission. With no ACT or SAT scores required, a student with a high school or GED diploma will most often be admitted.

Despite this, course quality remains high, and North Dakota ranks ninth in the country for chance for success as determined by EducationWeek. Even with only a handful of community colleges and universities, North Dakota possesses an outstanding adult education track record.

The North Dakota economy is surprisingly robust, with a large energy development sector and continued development in agriculture, along with real estate and government jobs. With a strong 4.3% GDP growth rate since 2018, the state maintains a low unemployment rate. The median income continues to rise as well, largely due to improvements in education.

Arts and culture are extensive in North Dakota. The state houses theaters, art, and museums, along with casinos that provide a rich nightlife and concerts by big-name acts and local musicians alike. The state offers something for everyone to enjoy year-round. Food festivals, state fairs, art walks, and countless other activities draw locals and tourists to this rich and still developing arts and culture scene.

The climate in North Dakota varies by the geographic boundary of the Missouri River. West of the Missouri River, higher temperatures dominate the summer, but the winters tend to be milder. East of the river, North Dakota residents see long, cold winters and warm summer days.

Much of the state sees snow, fall colors, spring rains, and a typical four-season climate.

Employment in North Dakota increased by 5.5% from June 2020 to June 2021, and unemployment fell to 2.6% when seasonally adjusted. The top employment fields continue to be energy development, agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality.

While the demand for healthcare workers rises annually, much like other states, North Dakota experiences less growth in the tech industry. Education is booming, however, and when compared with neighboring states, the North Dakota economy thrives.

Drafters assist engineers and architects by turning their ideas into scale drawings, diagrams, and plans, usually presented digitally. Drafters generally work on computers in offices. They can work remotely, but sometimes go into the field with engineers and architects.

A medical assistant usually performs administrative and clinical duties in a physician’s office or hospital. The position requires an associate degree or, in some cases, a career certificate from a vocational school, along with some experience and good customer service skills.

Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in designing and planning infrastructure projects. They often help in the building process as well. They spend most of their time in offices, but they occasionally work on construction job sites when required.

Software developers create programs or applications for computers. They usually work in offices and can sometimes work remotely. Software developer jobs usually require a relevant associate degree, but many employers want a bachelor’s degree or on-the-job training.

The duties of the industrial mechanic involve installation, maintenance, and repair of factory and other industrial machinery. Mechanical engineering is the most common associate degree for these professionals, and many industrial mechanics go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree and complete on-the-job training.