9th Annual North Dakota RN Program Rankings by RNCareers.org
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both North Dakota and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 5 ADN degree programs and 6 BSN degree programs in North Dakota. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in North Dakota to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.Â
Best ADN Programs in North Dakota
#1 Associate Degree in Nursing
Bismarck State College
Pass Rate
1500 Edwards Ave., Bismarck, ND - 58506-5587
(701) 224-5400
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.42%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
Total Faculty: 121
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,926
Book and Supplies: $1,100
Percent Received Aid: 83%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,195
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. Â Through the Dakota Nursing Program, a collaboration of several community colleges, a standardized nursing program allows students to earn their LPN and then their RN in a stepwise fashion. Â They are also eligible for bridge programs for RN to BSN/RN to MSN with neighboring universities.
#2 Associate Degree in Nursing
North Dakota State College of Science
Pass Rate
- 800 N 6th St, Wahpeton, ND - 58076-0002
- (701) 671-2403
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.97%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 109
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,646
- Book and Supplies: $1,000
- Percent Received Aid: 94%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,170
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 48%
North Dakota State College of Science is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Â They offer several options for their nursing students; they offer an LPN diploma, an LPN AAS, which is designed for students who will eventually seek to obtain their ADN, and an ADN degree.
#3 Associate Degree in Nursing
Dakota College at Bottineau
Pass Rate
- 105 Simrall Blvd, Bottineau, ND - 58318-1198
- (701) 228-2277
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.33%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 27
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,173
- Book and Supplies: $1,000
- Percent Received Aid: 92%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,371
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 25%
#4 Associate Degree in Nursing
Williston State College
Pass Rate
- 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND - 58801
- (701) 774-4200
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.98%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 30
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,100
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 95%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,477
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 38%
Williston State College is located in Williston, North Dakota. Â Their program is considered a 1+1 program, where the first year earns the student an LPN certificate and license, and the second year earns the student an RN degree. Â Their program is designed under the Dakota Nursing Program.
#5 Associate Degree in Nursing
Lake Region State College
Pass Rate
- 1801 College Dr N, Devils Lake, ND - 58301-1598
- (701) 662-1600
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 88.78%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 38
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 94%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,124
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 47%
Lake Region State College is located in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Â LRSC offers a practical program and an ADN program. Â Their ADN program is open to students holding an LPN license or paramedic license; it is not a program for students new to healthcare.
Best BSN Programs in North Dakota
#1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Mary
Pass Rate
- 7500 University Dr, Bismarck, ND - 58504
- (701) 255-7500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 82.30%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
University Information
- Total Faculty: 162
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,014
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 100%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $10,598
- Percent Admitted: 72%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 44%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
#2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of North Dakota
College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines
Pass Rate
- 264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193, Grand Forks, ND - 58202-8193
- (800) 225-5863
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 81.73%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to BSN
University Information
- Total Faculty: 717
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $10,596
- Book and Supplies: $800
- Percent Received Aid: 95%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,133
- Percent Admitted: 87%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
#3 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
North Dakota State University (Combined NDSU Fargo campus and NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Bismarck)
Pass Rate
- 1301 12th Avenue North, Fargo, ND - 58108-6050
- (701) 231-8011
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 78.60%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN to DNP, RN to BSN
University Information
- Total Faculty: 865
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $10,601
- Book and Supplies: $800
- Percent Received Aid: 95%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,614
- Percent Admitted: 94%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 31%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
#4 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Minot State University
Pass Rate
- 500 University Ave W, Minot, ND - 58707
- (701) 858-3000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 72.17%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
University Information
- Total Faculty: 167
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,100
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 93%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,599
- Percent Admitted: 77%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
About RN Programs in North Dakota
- There are 16 nursing schools in North Dakota. The CCNE accredits 7 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 7 schools in North Dakota.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in North Dakota is between 75.00% and 97.42%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in North Dakota is between 78.11% and 96.72%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in North Dakota can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
North Dakota is well known for designing and implementing nursing practice initiatives that are intended to enhance healthcare and the nursing profession. North Dakota is the only state to require a bachelor’s degree before being admitted into the field. In 1987, legislation was passed that requires all newly hired registered nurses to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. However, due to popular demand, the law was repealed in 2003. Despite the repeal, North Dakota and state nurse associations continue to encourage a BSN education. Nurses who are willing to advance their education, know that now is a great time to earn their RN or BSN degree from an accredited institution.
North Dakota RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
| Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Nursing Programs | 5 | 6 |
| Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 91.08% | 89.43% |
| NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 75.00% to 97.42% | 78.11% to 96.72% |
Nursing Programs Offered in North Dakota
- Registered Nursing: 13
- Family Nurse Practitioner: 3
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 1
North Dakota Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types
- University of North Dakota: 4
- University of Mary: 2
- North Dakota State University (Combined NDSU Fargo campus and NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Bismarck): 2
- Bismarck State College: 1
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College: 1
- University of Jamestown: 1
- Lake Region State College: 1
- Dakota College at Bottineau: 1
- Williston State College: 1
- Dickinson State University: 1
Become a Nurse Practitioner in North Dakota
Research the best North Dakota NP programs, and find comprehensive guides to the following NP careers:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Become an APRN in North Dakota
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
RN Licensing Requirements in North Dakota
Comprehensive guide to North Dakota Nursing License Requirements Renewals RN and APRN.
North Dakota State Board of Nursing
919 South 7th Street, Suite 504
Bismark, ND 58504
(701) 328-9777
More of the Best RN Programs in North Dakota
|
Grade
|
University
|
North Dakota Rank
|
Degree
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 78.11 | Dickinson State University | 5 | BSN |
Compare Nursing Salaries in North Dakota
How much do nurses earn in North Dakota?
- CNA Salary Report for 2025
- LPN Salary Report for 2025
- RN Salary Report for 2025
- NP Salary Report for 2025
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