Nursing in North Dakota

Schools, Licensure and Requirements

North Dakota’s nursing education system provides opportunities in 17 different cities, making programs accessible across the state’s largely rural geography. Nursing students can choose from a variety of options, including LPN, ADN, BSN, and ABSN programs, with tuition costs. For example, LPN programs typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000, ADN programs range from about $6,000 up to $15,000, and BSN programs, often offered through four-year universities, generally run between $15,000 and $30,000. Community colleges tend to offer more affordable tuition, while private schools come with a higher price tag.

North Dakota’s NCLEX pass rate remains steady at around 92.6%. This rate varies across programs from 87.7% to 96.5%, which means some schools have room for improvement. The state’s focus on maintaining quality nursing education helps prepare students to meet industry standards. Licensed nurses in North Dakota benefit from the Nurse Licensure Compact. This compact allows nurses to practice in multiple states without needing separate licenses, which is useful given the regional demand for healthcare professionals.

Salary ranges for nurses in North Dakota reflect differences in experience, specialty, and location. Registered Nurses (RNs) earn an average salary near $79,000, but entry-level and rural positions may start closer to $64,000, while specialized roles or those in urban centers reach nearly $96,000. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) average around $57,500 yearly. Advanced practice nurses earn considerably more; nurse practitioners average $127,760, and certified registered nurse anesthetists receive about $234,950. These figures balance well with the state’s lower cost of living but can vary due to job setting and demand.

North Dakota’s healthcare employment landscape is dominated by large systems like Sanford Health and Altru Health System. These organizations often hire locally trained nurses, making education choices in-state practical for students. Rural nursing shortages remain an ongoing challenge, so graduates may find strong job prospects both in cities and underserved communities. 

Quick Stats about North Dakota

17
Nursing Schools
91.3 %
Avg NCLEX Rate
NLC Member
Compact State
$78,063
Avg RN Salary

North Dakota's NCLEX-RN Pass Rate vs. National Average

Compare North Dakota's NCLEX-RN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.

North Dakota's NCLEX-PN Pass Rate vs. National Average

Compare North Dakota's NCLEX-PN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.

Browse Programs by Type

Browse all nursing programs available in North Dakota, organized by degree type. Click any program to see schools offering that program with detailed information for easy comparison.

Undergraduate Programs

ADN (9)
BSN (8)
BSN to DNP (1)
BSN to PhD (1)
LPN (11)
LPN to ADN (3)
LPN to BSN (3)
RN to BSN (4)

Masters Programs

Accelerated MSN (1)
MSN (3)
RN to MSN (2)

Doctoral Programs

BSN to DNP (1)
BSN to PhD (1)
DNP (2)
PhD (1)

Nursing Scholarships for North Dakota Students

Midwest Student Exchange Program
Offered by: University of Kansas
Applicant must be a resident of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, or North Dakota. Minimum 3.4 GPA and combined SAT Reasoning score of 1090 (composite ACT score of 25) required. Applicant must be majoring in one of the majors listed on sponsor's application page.
Astronaut Scholarship
Offered by: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Applicants must be sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate or graduate students in natural or applied science, engineering or mathematics at Brown University, Colorado School of Mines, Clemson University, Florida Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, Johns Hopkins University, Louisiana State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Miami University, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Ohio State, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Syracuse University, Texas A&M University, Tufts University, University of Arizona, University of Central Florida, University of Chicago, University of Colorado, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, University of Oklahoma, University of Rochester, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin or Washington University and must be nominated by faculty or staff. Applicants may not directly apply for the scholarship. Students must have excellent grades and performed research or lab work in their field.
Ruth Peterson Memorial (Kappa Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon)
Offered by: The American Occupational Therapy Foundation
Applicant must be currently enrolled in the occupational therapy program at the University of North Dakota, and completed at least one year of occupational therapy specific coursework, have a sustained record of outstanding scholastic achievement, two personal references, and a statement from the program director. Applicant must be pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree, and this must be the first degree in occupational therapy.
View All North Dakota Scholarships

North Dakota State Board of Nursing

919 South 7th Street, Suite 504
Bismarck, ND 58504

Mailing Address

919 South 7th Street, Suite 504
Bismarck, ND 58504

Phone: 701.751.3000

Fax: 701.751.2221

NLC Member
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Website
Contact Person: Constance Kalanek, PhD, RN, Executive Director