Online Schools and Colleges in North Dakota

With a relatively small network of schools statewide, North Dakota students benefit from online learning in multiple ways. Increased access to digital learning platforms, for example, has created a 91 percent increase in online course enrollment across all grade levels. Not only has this helped K-12 students get ahead, but it continues to foster post-secondary education via a more flexible degree-granting network of schools. Let’s take a look at online schools at both the K-12 and college levels in further detail.

North Dakota’s higher education institutions offer a variety of online programs. According to the 2017 Distance Education State Almanac, 44.1% of the state’s enrolled student body took at least one distance course that year, far outpacing the national average of 29.7%. Furthermore, North Dakota boasted some of the nation’s lowest average tuition fees during the 2019-2020 school year. These factors make the state an excellent option for distance learners looking for a high-quality, affordable education.

This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the practical aspects of online learning in North Dakota. The following sections explore program options, funding opportunities, and tips for succeeding at online schools and colleges in North Dakota.

Many North Dakota institutions offer online learning opportunities, and prospective students may find reviewing each individual school’s website time-consuming and confusing. Aggregators and indexing websites that compile, review, and rank online programs can save you a great deal of trouble. You can click the icon below to launch your search for accredited online programs in North Dakota.

Professionals in North Dakota enjoy competitive salaries, excellent employment benefits, and access to a burgeoning job market. According to a 2019 report by the Bismarck Tribune, North Dakota has tens of thousands of job vacancies and an acute shortage of qualified candidates to fill them.

The following table illustrates how dramatically a college education improves lifetime earning potential. Additionally, North Dakota has a low cost of living, so your money goes even further here.

North Dakota ranks among the most affordable states for college students, especially for out-of-state learners. According to the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, public four-year North Dakota institutions charged nonresident students the nation’s second-lowest tuition rates during the 2019-2020 academic year.

The University of North Dakota system maintains specific requirements to qualify for in-state tuition rates. In addition to submitting a resident tuition application, prospective students must produce a valid North Dakota driver’s license issued at least a year prior to the application date. Learners must submit additional residency documentation, such as a lease agreement, mortgage statement, or utility bill that demonstrates that the applicant has lived in North Dakota for at least 12 months.

Minnesota residents and their dependents usually qualify for in-state tuition rates under reciprocity agreements. However, specific policies vary among institutions, so learners should contact individual online schools and colleges in North Dakota for details.

Online college students in North Dakota can take advantage of scholarships and grants that make higher education more affordable. In addition to hundreds of national programs, North Dakota students can apply for the funding opportunities below.

Financial Aid for Online Schools

Accredited schools meet rigorous standards of academic quality as determined by neutral, third-party organizations. Students should only consider attending online schools and colleges in North Dakota that hold regional or national accreditation, as these qualifications ensure that employers and other institutions will recognize your academic credentials. Learners should identify the accreditation status of each prospective school, noting that colleges and universities can hold multiple types of institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Online schools and colleges in North Dakota can hold national or regional accreditation. For-profit schools and institutions focused on technical, vocational, or practical training typically receive national accreditation. Prominent national accrediting agencies include the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Regional accreditation usually applies to academically oriented schools and state-operated, nonprofit institutions. The Higher Learning Commission awards regional accreditation to North Dakota schools.

Subject-specific accreditation applies to programs in a particular field. This type of accreditation demonstrates that programs meet standards of academic quality set by professional or academic organizations. For example, the University of North Dakota’s School of Law holds programmatic accreditation from the American Bar Association.

Attending an accredited school is crucial to ensuring that you will qualify for funding and employment opportunities. Accredited institutions and programs typically feature their accreditation status on their website. Learners can search the directory from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to verify the accreditation status of any school or program. Students should avoid schools with very short degree completion timelines and institutions without physical addresses.

The North Dakota state government supports many online, continuing education, and adult education initiatives. The sections below include information about programs and resources for adult learners in North Dakota.

The University of North Dakota offers more than 120 fully online degree and certificate programs.

Eleven schools in the North Dakota University System offer fully online degree programs and courses.

The University of North Dakota System has offered distance education opportunities for more than 100 years.

Source: University of North Dakota, North Dakota University System