RN programs in North Dakota

11 RN (registered nurse) programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these RN programs, and North Dakota has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and teach patients and their families about health conditions. To work as one, you graduate from an approved nursing program (a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing, or a hospital diploma) and pass a licensing exam for your state nursing license.¹ The exam is the NCLEX-RN from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which the nursing boards of every state, DC and four US territories use in deciding who gets a license.²

In North Dakota, all 11 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 11 programs here are RN bachelor's degree (BSN, 6 programs) and RN associate degree (ADN, 5 programs).

See the 11 programs

How much do RN programs cost in North Dakota?

Two-year degrees (5 programs): $11,338 to $13,092most of them, usually 80 weeks long
Bachelor's degrees (6 programs): $32,960 to $66,106most of them, usually 160 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program: 68%
Working 6 months later: 93%
Earned a year, estimated: about $60,400
Length: 80 to 160 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in North Dakota may also offer RN programs. How these figures are made

Are there free RN programs in North Dakota?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵For a degree, the job center first looks at grants such as a federal Pell Grant; WIOA pays toward what they don't cover.⁵In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 33 people at 3 of the 11 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. Two-year degrees here mostly cost $11,338 to $13,092.Bachelor's degrees here mostly cost $32,960 to $66,106.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 11 RN programs in North Dakota approved for WIOA funding

11 programs

RN bachelor's degree (BSN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of North Dakota, Grand ForksRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$78,300
Price if you pay yourself$55,160
More details about Nursing at University of North Dakota
Finished
67%
Working at 6 months
67%
Earned in a quarter
$19,583
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
585
Earned a year, estimated
$78,300
Price if you pay yourself
$55,160
RN bachelor's degree (BSN)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
North Dakota State University
Fargo
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
North Dakota State University, FargoRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$41,500
Price if you pay yourself$56,226
More details about Nursing at North Dakota State University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
75%
Earned in a quarter
$10,375
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
482
Earned a year, estimated
$41,500
Price if you pay yourself
$56,226
RN bachelor's degree (BSN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
University of Mary
Bismarck
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Mary, BismarckRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$60,000
Price if you pay yourself$69,400
More details about Nursing at University of Mary
Finished
80%
Working at 6 months
94%
Earned in a quarter
$15,010
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
453
Earned a year, estimated
$60,000
Price if you pay yourself
$69,400
RN bachelor's degree (BSN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
Minot State University
Minot
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Minot State University, MinotRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$61,500
Price if you pay yourself$25,560
More details about Nursing at Minot State University
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
91%
Earned in a quarter
$15,380
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
264
Earned a year, estimated
$61,500
Price if you pay yourself
$25,560
RN bachelor's degree (BSN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
University of Jamestown
Jamestown
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Jamestown, JamestownRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$57,900
Price if you pay yourself$79,480
More details about Nursing at University of Jamestown
Finished
58%
Working at 6 months
97%
Earned in a quarter
$14,472
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
203
Earned a year, estimated
$57,900
Price if you pay yourself
$79,480
RN bachelor's degree (BSN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing
Mayville State University
Mayville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Mayville State University, MayvilleRN bachelor's degree (BSN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$64,300
Price if you pay yourself$25,520
More details about Nursing at Mayville State University
Finished
57%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$16,077
Length
160 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
128
Earned a year, estimated
$64,300
Price if you pay yourself
$25,520
RN associate degree (ADN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Associate Degree Nursing
Lake Region State College
Devils Lake
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Lake Region State College, Devils LakeRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$60,800
Price if you pay yourself$10,649
More details about Associate Degree Nursing at Lake Region State College
Finished
92%
Working at 6 months
92%
Earned in a quarter
$15,200
Length
80 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
54
Earned a year, estimated
$60,800
Price if you pay yourself
$10,649
RN associate degree (ADN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Associate in Science in Nursing (RN)
ND State College of Science
Wahpeton
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
ND State College of Science, WahpetonRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$75,900
Price if you pay yourself$13,092
5 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Associate in Science in Nursing (RN) at ND State College of Science
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$18,974
Length
80 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
26
Earned a year, estimated
$75,900
Price if you pay yourself
$13,092
students trained with WIOA funding
5
RN associate degree (ADN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing -Associate Degree Nurse (ADN)
Bismarck State College
Bismarck
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Bismarck State College, BismarckRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$32,700
Price if you pay yourself$14,050
18 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Nursing -Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) at Bismarck State College
Finished
44%
Working at 6 months
90%
Earned in a quarter
$8,170
Length
80 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
20
Earned a year, estimated
$32,700
Price if you pay yourself
$14,050
students trained with WIOA funding
18
RN associate degree (ADN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Associate Degree Nurse
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Dakota College at Bottineau, BottineauRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$34,000
Price if you pay yourself$11,338
10 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Associate Degree Nurse at Dakota College at Bottineau
Finished
70%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$8,491
Length
80 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
10
Earned a year, estimated
$34,000
Price if you pay yourself
$11,338
students trained with WIOA funding
10
RN associate degree (ADN)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Nursing AAS Degree
Williston State College
Williston
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Williston State College, WillistonRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$12,062
More details about Nursing AAS Degree at Williston State College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
80 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$12,062

How to pay for RN programs in North Dakota

WIOA funding can pay for RN programs in North Dakota

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for RN programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁷⁸

GI Bill for RN programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁹

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

LPN or RN in North Dakota?

The programs North Dakota approved for workforce funding in each, side by side. The figures are the typical program's, as on the two pages.

	LPN	RNthis page
Programs	5 at 5 schools	11 at 11 schools
Most cost, if you pay yourself	$7,842 to $14,542	Two-year degrees$11,338 to $13,092Bachelor's degrees$32,960 to $66,106
Length	40 weeks	80 to 160 weeks
Finished the program	Not enough data	68%
Working 6 months later	Not enough data	93%
Earned a year, estimated	Not enough data	about $60,400
Trained with WIOA funding	at least 15 people	at least 33 people

LPN vs RN nationwide: what each job does, the license exams and how to get from one to the other

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024. Earnings are the second quarter after leaving the program, times four.

Quick facts: RN programs in North Dakota

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare: 35th of 39
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less: 21 of 31
RN programs here, against the typical state's 17: 11 vs 17

State comparisons use the same figures as the RN programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

RN programs in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Fargo and other North Dakota cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area, 3 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in North Dakota

How RN programs compare with the rest of nursing and patient care: Nursing and patient care programs in North Dakota

Where the North Dakota RN program numbers come from

Which North Dakota RN programs are on this list?

These are the RN programs North Dakota approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).¹⁰ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what North Dakota offers.

How the prices and results of North Dakota RN programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about RN programs in North Dakota

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RN programs in North Dakota

How much do RN programs cost in North Dakota?

Are there free RN programs in North Dakota?

All 11 RN programs in North Dakota approved for WIOA funding

Nursing

Nursing

Nursing

Nursing

Nursing

Nursing

Associate Degree Nursing

Associate in Science in Nursing (RN)

Nursing -Associate Degree Nurse (ADN)

Associate Degree Nurse

Nursing AAS Degree

How to pay for RN programs in North Dakota

WIOA funding can pay for RN programs in North Dakota

Financial aid and grants for RN programs

GI Bill for RN programs

LPN or RN in North Dakota?

Quick facts: RN programs in North Dakota

RN programs in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Fargo and other North Dakota cities

Other training in North Dakota

Where the North Dakota RN program numbers come from

Which North Dakota RN programs are on this list?

How the prices and results of North Dakota RN programs are measured

Sources for the facts about RN programs in North Dakota