Best RN Programs in North Dakota, Ranked (2026)

The University of Mary BSN program, housed in the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences, offers four pathways: a traditional on-campus BSN, an LPN-to-BSN track, a fully online RN-to-BSN option, and the Nursing Academy, a tuition-free competitive cohort for high-achieving freshmen. Clinical rotations span hospital, rehabilitation, outpatient, and acute care settings across critical care, ambulatory care, public health, and mental health. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In May 2025, Mountain Measurement cited the program for an exceptional first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate among 2024 graduates, awarding it a top national ranking by that organization.

University of Mary carries a Hakia Score of 82.9, the highest in this ranking. Tuition is $19,940 per year regardless of residency, so out-of-state students pay the same flat rate. The 67% graduation rate is solid for a private institution with a 75% admit rate, a combination that signals selectivity without being prohibitive. The Nursing Academy adds a fully funded pathway for incoming freshmen with strong academic records, which meaningfully lowers the net cost for competitive applicants. At 3,861 enrolled students, class sizes stay manageable. BLS OEWS data puts the national median wage for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

The University of North Dakota College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines offers two paths to the BSN: a traditional four-year, on-campus program for freshmen and transfer students in Grand Forks, and a fully online RN-to-BSN track for working nurses who hold a diploma or associate degree. The traditional program runs 121 credit hours and includes four weeks of preceptor-led clinical rotations. UND also offers direct admission to a select group of incoming freshmen with strong high school records, and long-standing support for American Indian nursing students through the federally funded RAIN program. The program is CCNE accredited. The page reports a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate for 2023 graduates against a 92% national rate, and notes rankings from Nursing Degree Search and Nurse.org as #1 nursing school in North Dakota, attributed to those sources.

With a Hakia Score of 82.3 and a 77% admit rate, UND is competitive without being exclusive. In-state tuition is $9,237; out-of-state students pay $13,856, making this the lowest in-state cost among the top four programs in this ranking. The 60% graduation rate is the second-lowest here, a tradeoff worth weighing against the strong NCLEX outcomes the page cites and the 15,019-student campus with research infrastructure. UND is the best cost-value option for North Dakota residents. BLS OEWS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

Dickinson State University offers three nursing pathways from a single department: a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing designed to take students directly from admission to NCLEX-RN eligibility, a fast-track Practical Nursing Certificate completable in three semesters for students who want to enter the workforce as an LPN quickly, and a one-semester Certified Nursing Assistant training program. The BSN curriculum combines classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical preparation in hospital, clinic, and long-term care settings. Applications for the BSN open August 1 and close October 15 each cycle. Both the BSN and PN Certificate are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) through Fall 2029 and approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

At a Hakia Score of 79.2, DSU ranks third in this group. The flat $7,470 tuition applies to all students regardless of home state, the lowest sticker price in this ranking. The 37% admit rate makes DSU the most selective program on this list by a wide margin, a signal that the cohort entering the BSN is high-commitment. The 51% graduation rate is the lowest of the four programs, a real tradeoff against cost and selectivity worth factoring in. Enrollment sits at 1,410, making DSU the smallest campus here by a significant margin. BLS OEWS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

North Dakota State University School of Nursing runs four distinct tracks under the BSN umbrella: a pre-licensure BSN for traditional students, an Accelerated BSN for degree-holding career changers, an LPN-to-BSN bridge, and an online RN-to-BSN completion pathway. The three-year professional program must be taken in sequence due to clinical placement scheduling and cannot be accelerated within that structure. Pre-nursing advising is available before acceptance, and each admitted nursing student is assigned a faculty advisor. Student Nurses Association chapters operate in both Fargo and Bismarck. The page does not state a specific NCLEX pass rate or accreditation body, so neither is asserted here.

NDSU carries a Hakia Score of 76.4, the fourth in this ranking, with a 95% admit rate that makes it the most accessible campus by far. In-state tuition is $9,309; out-of-state students pay $13,963. The 64% graduation rate is the second-highest in the group. The combination of a near-open door, four structured entry tracks, and a 11,952-student research university environment makes NDSU the clearest option for North Dakota students who want flexibility in how they enter nursing or who plan to continue into graduate study. BLS OEWS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

Minot State University's Department of Nursing offers a prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing built around simulation, clinical rotations, and hands-on training. The program runs two admission pathways: a guaranteed admission track for eligible North Dakota high school seniors who want to lock in their seat early, and a standard admission track for all other applicants. A separate online RN-to-BSN completion program serves working licensed nurses who need flexibility. Across both tracks, the program emphasizes clinical judgment developed through simulation alongside real-world practice in partnership with regional healthcare sites.

With a Hakia Score of 73.4, Minot State ranks 5th among North Dakota BSN programs in this index. Tuition is $7,168 per year with no difference between in-state and out-of-state students, which is a meaningful cost advantage for any undergraduate weighing North Dakota options. The 65% admit rate makes this a broadly accessible program, though the 45% graduation rate signals that students should enter prepared for a rigorous progression. The program is best suited to students who want affordable public-university training with a built-in guaranteed-admission option, particularly those who are North Dakota residents planning ahead in high school.

University of Jamestown offers a prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing centered on patient-centered, bio-psycho-social-spiritual care. The program uses a state-of-the-art simulation lab each semester, with high-fidelity simulators covering adult, pediatric, newborn, and mental health scenarios. Students can enter through direct entry (a guaranteed spot upon acceptance to UJ) or sophomore entry (applying after reaching sophomore standing). The curriculum culminates in a senior capstone practicum in which students work one-on-one with a registered nurse for 172 hours. Clinical sites include Jamestown Regional Medical Center, the North Dakota State Hospital, Fargo Sanford Children's Hospital, and several community and corrections settings. Students can also earn American Heart Association ACLS and PALS certifications during the program. An Accelerated Nursing program is listed separately on the page for students pursuing a different entry point.

UJ holds a Hakia Score of 65.8, ranking 6th among North Dakota programs in this index. The 88% admit rate makes it one of the more open programs in the state. At $24,000 per year, tuition runs well above the public options in North Dakota, with no in-state/out-of-state differential since the school is a private nonprofit. The 49% graduation rate is a factor worth tracking before committing. The program fits students who prioritize small class sizes, personalized faculty relationships, and a rich clinical network over the lowest possible price point. The scraped page reports that 99% of graduates who pursue bedside nursing roles gain employment by graduation, though this is the school's own stated figure and covers only that subset of graduates.

Mayville State University's nursing program is built specifically around the online RN-to-BSN completion track. It is designed for licensed RNs who need flexibility: there are no required campus visits or scheduled online meetings, courses run in five-week blocks, and students choose either a full-time path (12 months) or a part-time path (24 months). The single clinical requirement is 40 hours completed locally to the student. Fall and spring start options are available. The program page notes candidacy for initial ACEN accreditation effective July 2024, alongside existing CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate program. This is not a prelicensure track; students must already hold an RN license to enroll.

Mayville State holds a Hakia Score of 64.1, ranking 7th in North Dakota. In-state tuition is $6,517 per year, making it among the most affordable options in the state for working nurses seeking a BSN. Out-of-state tuition rises to $9,775. The program's 2023-24 on-time completion data, published on its program page, shows 85% for full-time students, 60% for part-time, and 80% overall. The institution-level graduation rate of 41% reflects the broader university population. This program is the strongest fit for employed RNs in North Dakota and neighboring states who need an affordable, schedule-friendly path to a BSN without stepping away from work.

Rasmussen University-North Dakota offers a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing with four distinct entry tracks, making it one of the more flexible structural options available. The standard BSN track is for students without a prior college degree and can be completed in as few as 33 months. The Accelerated BSN Second Degree track targets students who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to switch into nursing, with a stated timeline of as few as 18 months. An online RN-to-BSN track is also available for already-licensed RNs in 12 to 18 months, and an LPN-RN Bridge pathway exists for practical nurses. The program uses both online coursework and in-person components including on-site clinicals and simulation labs. Rasmussen requires no prerequisite courses for admission and offers eight start dates per year, with direct admission into the BSN program once requirements are cleared.

Rasmussen's Hakia Score is 56.6, placing it 8th among ranked North Dakota programs. At $12,359 per year in tuition, it sits between the public and traditional private nonprofit options in this field, with no in-state/out-of-state difference as a private for-profit institution. The 29% graduation rate is the lowest of the four programs in this group and warrants serious consideration before enrolling. Enrollment at the North Dakota campus is 52 students. The program fits students who need multiple entry points, a fast track, or year-round start flexibility, and who are willing to pay above public-school rates for that access. The graduation rate gap relative to other programs is the central tradeoff to weigh.