There are twenty colleges and universities in the U.S. state of North Dakota that are listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Grand Forks-based University of North Dakota (UND) is the largest public institution with an enrollment of 13,876 students as of Fall 2022 enrollment data. Fargo-based North Dakota State University (NDSU) is the second largest public institution, with an enrollment of 12,242 students for Fall 2022.

UND, founded February 27, 1883 (six years prior to North Dakota's statehood), is the state's oldest and longest operating post-secondary institution. University of Jamestown (UJ), founded under the name Jamestown College on October 31, 1883, by the Presbyterian Church, is the state's second-oldest established post-secondary institution. Mayville State University (MSU), originally named Mayville Normal School, founded in 1889 by the first North Dakota Legislative Assembly, is the state's third-oldest established post-secondary institution but is the second longest operating school. NDSU, originally named the North Dakota Agricultural College, was founded on March 8, 1890, as part of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890, is the state's fourth-oldest post-secondary institution and third longest operating school.

The North Dakota University System contains eleven public colleges. There are also seven private universities in North Dakota. The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a part of UND, is the state's only medical school. The state's only law school is the University of North Dakota School of Law, which is another UND affiliate.

The majority of North Dakota's post-secondary institutions are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Most are accredited by multiple agencies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the National League for Nursing (NLNAC), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Extant institutions

Institution Location(s) Control Type Enrollment(Fall 2024) Founded AccreditationBismarck State CollegeBismarckPublic Baccalaureate/associate's college4,2061939Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Cankdeska Cikana Community CollegeFort TottenPublic Tribal college2391974Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Dakota College at BottineauBottineauPublic Associate's college 1,2041906Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Dickinson State UniversityDickinsonPublicBaccalaureate college 1,4101918Higher Learning Commission (HLC), NASM, NCATE, NLNACLake Region State CollegeDevils LakePublic Associate's college1,8971941Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Mayville State UniversityMayvillePublicBaccalaureate college1,1341889Higher Learning Commission (HLC), NCATEMinot State UniversityMinotPublic Master's university2,7511913Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ASHA, NASM, NCATE, NLNACNorth Dakota State College of ScienceWahpetonPublic Associate's college3,3671903Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ADA, AOTA, NLNACNorth Dakota State UniversityFargoPublic Research university11,9521890-03-08Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ACPE, AAMFT, ADA, CCNE, NASAD, NASM, NAST, NCATENueta Hidatsa Sahnish CollegeNew TownPublic Tribal college2331973Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Rasmussen University FargoPrivate for-profitBaccalaureate/associate's college522006Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Sitting Bull CollegeFort YatesPublic Tribal college3091973Higher Learning Commission (HLC)Trinity Bible CollegeEllendalePrivate not-for-profitSpecial-focus institution2751948ABHETurtle Mountain CollegeBelcourtPrivate not-for-profit Tribal college8721972Higher Learning Commission (HLC)United Tribes Technical CollegeBismarckPrivate not-for-profit Tribal college5761969Higher Learning Commission (HLC), NLNACUniversity of JamestownJamestownPrivate not-for-profitMaster's university1,3761883-10-31Higher Learning Commission (HLC), NLNACUniversity of MaryBismarck, Fargo, Williston, Watford City, Grand Forks AFBPrivate not-for-profit Doctoral university3,8611959Higher Learning Commission (HLC), AOTA, APTA, CCNEUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksPublic Research university15,0191883-02-27Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ABA, ADA, AOTA, APTA, APA, ASHA, CCNE, AANA, LCME, NASAD, NASM, NAST, NCATEValley City State UniversityValley CityPublicBaccalaureate college1,8061890-10-13Higher Learning Commission (HLC), NASM, NCATEWilliston State CollegeWillistonPublic Associate's college9341957Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Defunct institutions

Institution Location(s) Control Founded Closed Ref Assumption College Richardton Private 1899 1971 Dakota Business College Fargo Private 1890 1978 North Dakota State Normal and Industrial School EllendalePublic 1899 1971 Tower University Tower CityPrivate 1886 1889

Key

Abbreviation Accrediting agencyAAMFTAmerican Association for Marriage and Family TherapyAANAAmerican Association of Nurse AnesthetistsABAAmerican Bar AssociationACPEAccreditation Council for Pharmacy EducationADAAmerican Dental AssociationADAAmerican Dietetic AssociationAOTAAmerican Occupational Therapy AssociationAPAAmerican Psychological AssociationAPTAAmerican Physical Therapy AssociationASHAAmerican Speech–Language–Hearing AssociationCCNECommission on Collegiate Nursing EducationLCMELiaison Committee on Medical EducationNASADNational Association of Schools of Art and DesignNASMNational Association of Schools of MusicNASTNational Association of Schools of TheatreHLCHigher Learning CommissionNCATENational Council for Accreditation of Teacher EducationNLNACNational League for Nursing

See also

Higher education in the United States List of college athletic programs in North Dakota List of American institutions of higher education

Notes

References

External links Department of Education listing of accredited institutions in North Dakota