North Dakota Colleges and Universities

Comprehensive Guide to Higher Education in North Dakota

45,806

NDUS Students Fall 2024

Highest since 2018

FREE Tuition

ND Scholars (ACT 30+)

NDSU <$80k program

11 Institutions

NDUS System

Universities + Community Colleges

$11,110

NDSU In-State Tuition

Affordable public education

University of North Dakota (UND) Flagship

Location: Grand Forks, ND 58202

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 15,019 students (+847 from Fall 2023)

  • Undergraduates: 11,033 (+817 students, +8%)
  • Graduate Students: 3,483 (+44 students)

Historic Milestone:

Third Highest Total: In University history

First Time Since 2013: Enrollment surpassed 15,000 students

Retention Rate (Record High):

84.02%: First-time, full-time freshmen who returned (highest rate recorded since 1990s)

Acceptance Rate:

77.09%: For 2023-24 admission (5,733 admitted / 7,437 applicants)

10-Year Average: 82.57%

Academic Programs:

245+ Fields of Study: Most comprehensive in state

Status: State flagship university, R2 Research University

Distinction: Chief Opportunity Engine and Premier Flagship in Northern Plains

Website: und.edu

North Dakota State University (NDSU)

Location: Fargo, ND 58108

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 11,952 students (stabilizing enrollment after recent declines)

Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,762 students

Enrollment Growth Areas (Fall 2024):

  • New Students: +148 students overall
  • New Transfer Students: +18%
  • New International Students: +9%
  • New Graduate Students: +6%
  • First-Time First-Year ND Students: 800+ students (+5%)

Pell Grant Eligibility (Significant Increases):

  • First-Time First-Year Pell Students: +19%
  • New Transfer Pell Students: +54%
  • Returning Pell Students: +19%

In-Person Learning:

97% In-Person: Largest in-person student population in NDUS

Demographics:

Gender Distribution: 48.6% male, 51.4% female

Status: R1 Research University, Land-Grant Institution

Website: ndsu.edu

North Dakota University System (NDUS) 11 Institutions

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 45,806 students (highest since Fall 2018)

System Components: 11 public colleges and universities (community colleges, regional institutions, research universities)

Governance: State Board of Higher Education

Enrollment Growth Drivers:

New Undergraduate Students: +10.1% systemwide increase

Major Institutional Gains (Fall 2024):

  • Mayville State University: +25% undergraduate students
  • UND: +25% undergraduate students
  • Dickinson State University: +10%
  • NDSCS (North Dakota State College of Science): +10%
  • Williston State College: +16% (1,058 students from 912)

All 11 NDUS Institutions:

Research Universities (2):

  • University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) - Flagship
  • North Dakota State University (Fargo)

Regional Universities (5):

  • Dickinson State University (Dickinson)
  • Mayville State University (Mayville)
  • Minot State University (Minot)
  • Valley City State University (Valley City)
  • University of Mary (Bismarck) - Private

Community Colleges (4):

  • Bismarck State College (Bismarck)
  • Dakota College at Bottineau (Bottineau)
  • Lake Region State College (Devils Lake)
  • North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton)
  • Williston State College (Williston)

Website: ndus.edu

ND Scholars Program Full Tuition

Award: Merit-based, full-tuition scholarship

Eligibility: North Dakota high school graduates earning first bachelor's degree at ND institution

ACT/SAT Requirements:

Minimum Score: ACT composite 30 or SAT equivalent

Ranking Criteria: Among top scorers of all ND test-takers who took ACT/SAT prior to July 1st in calendar year preceding college enrollment

Important Notes:

  • Limited Funding: Not all students scoring 30+ will receive award
  • Competitive: Based on ranking among ND test-takers
  • Requirement: Must stay in North Dakota for undergraduate degree

Website: ndus.edu/nd-scholars-program

NDSU Free Tuition Program (2024-25) Need-Based

Coverage: FREE tuition and fees at NDSU

Announcement: November 9, 2023 (for 2024-25 school year)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Residency: North Dakota or Minnesota residents
  • Student Status: First-year, second-year, or transfer students
  • Enrollment: Registered full-time
  • Income: Families making less than $80,000 annually
  • Financial Aid: Qualify for Pell Grant

What's Covered:

Tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students at North Dakota State University

Context: Program designed to compete with Minnesota's North Star Promise (free tuition for families making ≤$80k)

Website: ndsu.edu/admission/financial_aid

North Dakota Community Colleges

Total Students (Fall 2022): 12,220 students across ND community colleges

Number of Colleges: 5 public community colleges in NDUS system

Fall 2024 Enrollment Growth:

  • Williston State College: 1,058 students (+16% from 912 in Fall 2023) - Highest jump in ND
  • North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton): +7% enrollment increase

NDUS Community Colleges:

  • Bismarck State College (Bismarck)
  • Dakota College at Bottineau (Bottineau)
  • Lake Region State College (Devils Lake)
  • North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) (Wahpeton)
  • Williston State College (Williston)

Competitive Context:

Each campus developed enrollment strategies in response to Minnesota's North Star Promise (free tuition for MN families earning ≤$80k), which created competitive pressure for ND border colleges

Tuition Comparison (2024-25 Academic Year)

Institution In-State Tuition Out-of-State Tuition
North Dakota State University (NDSU) $11,110/year $17,000+/year
University of North Dakota (UND) $11,645/year $18,000+/year
Regional Universities (Dickinson, Mayville, Minot, Valley City) $8,000-$9,500/year $12,000-$14,000/year
Community Colleges (5 colleges) $4,500-$5,500/year $9,000-$11,000/year
ND Scholars Program FREE (full tuition for ACT 30+, merit-based, limited funding)
NDSU Free Tuition Program FREE (income <$80k, Pell-eligible, ND/MN residents)

Note: NDSU caps tuition at 13 credits (all credits over 13 at no additional cost). Tuition figures represent tuition & fees only; room, board, books not included.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota offers two main free tuition programs: (1) ND Scholars Program provides merit-based full tuition for ND high school graduates who score ACT 30+ or SAT equivalent (limited funding, competitive ranking among ND test-takers). (2) NDSU Free Tuition Program (2024-25) covers tuition and fees for first-year, second-year, and transfer students who are ND or MN residents, register full-time, qualify for Pell Grant, and have families making less than $80,000 annually. Additionally, the North Dakota Scholarship provides $6,000 for use at approved ND institutions.

UND (University of North Dakota) in Grand Forks is the state flagship university with 15,019 students and 245+ fields of study, making it the most comprehensive in the state. NDSU (North Dakota State University) in Fargo has 11,952 students and is the largest in-person learning campus (97% in-person) in the NDUS system. Both are R1/R2 research universities. UND has higher overall enrollment and is the flagship, while NDSU excels in agriculture, engineering, and applied sciences. UND in-state tuition is $11,645 while NDSU is $11,110 (NDSU caps tuition at 13 credits with all additional credits free).

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) includes 11 public colleges and universities: 2 research universities (UND and NDSU), 5 regional universities (Dickinson State, Mayville State, Minot State, Valley City State, and University of Mary), and 5 community colleges (Bismarck State, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State, ND State College of Science in Wahpeton, and Williston State). Fall 2024 enrollment reached 45,806 students systemwide, the highest since Fall 2018. All institutions are governed by the State Board of Higher Education.

North Dakota college enrollments are increasing significantly. Fall 2024 NDUS enrollment reached 45,806 students, the highest since Fall 2018, driven by a 10.1% increase in new undergraduate students. UND enrollment increased by 847 students to 15,019 (first time over 15,000 since 2013), with undergraduate enrollment up 8%. NDSU stabilized enrollment at 11,952 students after recent declines. Mayville State and UND had over 25% increases in undergraduate students. Williston State College saw the highest jump at +16% (1,058 students from 912). The growth is attributed to free tuition programs, improved retention (UND 84% retention rate is record high), and strategic enrollment initiatives.

You need a minimum ACT composite score of 30 (or SAT equivalent) for the ND Scholars Program, which provides merit-based full tuition at North Dakota public universities. However, simply scoring 30+ does NOT guarantee the award. The program has limited funding, so awards are competitive and based on ranking among all North Dakota test-takers who took the ACT or SAT prior to July 1st in the calendar year preceding college enrollment. You must be a North Dakota high school graduate earning your first bachelor's degree at a ND institution. Higher scores improve your chances of receiving this valuable full-tuition scholarship.

Williston State College reported the highest enrollment jump among all North Dakota colleges in Fall 2024, growing to 1,058 students from 912 the previous fall, representing a 16% increase. North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton also saw strong growth with a 7% enrollment increase. The ND community college system includes 5 public colleges serving approximately 12,220 students (Fall 2022 data). Growth drivers include strategic enrollment initiatives, competitive tuition rates ($4,500-$5,500 in-state annually), and programs designed to compete with Minnesota's North Star Promise free tuition program.

The University of North Dakota achieved an 84.02% retention rate for first-time, full-time freshmen who enrolled in Fall 2023 and returned in Fall 2024. This is the highest retention rate UND has recorded since the system started tracking this statistic in the 1990s. Retention rate is critically important because it measures student satisfaction, academic support effectiveness, and likelihood of degree completion. High retention rates indicate students are succeeding academically, finding value in their education, and are financially able to continue. UND's record-high retention demonstrates improved student services, financial aid accessibility (including new free tuition programs), and overall student success initiatives.

Last updated on November 24, 2025