2026 Best Nursing Schools in North Dakota
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in North Dakota? We have ranked 25 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 21 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in North Dakota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is North Dakota State College Of Science, our #1 Nursing school in North Dakota. Located in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. The median Nursing program debt is $15,706. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science
Request InformationThe strong Nursing programs at University Of North Dakota earned it the #2 place in North Dakota. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
Request InformationOut of the 21 schools in North Dakota in this year's ranking, North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Request InformationA rank of #4 makes Rasmussen College North Dakota one of the top choices in North Dakota. Based in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,404. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Rasmussen College North Dakota report
Request InformationA rank of #5 makes University Of Mary one of the top choices in North Dakota. University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. University Of Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Read more about University Of Mary
Request InformationDickinson State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,266. Read the full report on Dickinson State University
Request InformationBismarck State College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,340. See the full Bismarck State College profile
Request InformationLake Region State College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Devils Lake, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,784. Get the full Lake Region State College report
Request InformationDakota College At Bottineau came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Dakota College At Bottineau is a public school based in Bottineau, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,388, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,161. Read the full report on Dakota College At Bottineau
Request InformationWilliston State College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Read the full report on Williston State College
Request InformationUnited Tribes Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full United Tribes Technical College report
Request InformationThe Salon Professional Academy Fargo came in at #12 in this year's ranking. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Fargo profile
Request InformationValley City State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Read the full report on Valley City State University
Request InformationLynnes Welding Training landed the #14 spot in North Dakota this year. Read the full report on Lynnes Welding Training
Request InformationTrinity Bible College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full Trinity Bible College report
Request InformationJosefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks report
Request InformationSitting Bull College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Sitting Bull College profile
Request InformationMinot State University placed #18 among Nursing schools in North Dakota. See the full Minot State University profile
Request InformationJosefs West Academy did well this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Josefs West Academy
Request InformationThe Hair Academy
The Hair Academy came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Read more about The Hair Academy
Request InformationTurtle Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. More on Turtle Mountain Community College
Request InformationCankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #22 spot in North Dakota this year. Get the full Cankdeska Cikana Community College report
Request InformationJamestown College landed the #23 spot in North Dakota this year. See the full Jamestown College profile
Request InformationFort Berthold Community College landed the #24 spot in North Dakota this year. Get the full Fort Berthold Community College report
Request InformationMayville State University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Mayville State University
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).