2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Dakota
Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Registered Nursing in North Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in North Dakota.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
University Of North Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 254 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $153,282 early in their careers. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,792 in student loans.
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University Of Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $93,565 early in their careers. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $28,578 in student loans.
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North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 178 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $88,835 in their early career. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from North Dakota State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Minot State University, which ranked #4. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 70 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Minot State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Minot State University earn around $72,522 in the first couple years of their career. Minot State University graduates carry a median of $27,111 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Lake Region State College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. About 37 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lake Region State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lake Region State College generally make around $68,214. Typical student debt for the program is $27,310.
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Mayville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 28 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mayville State University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $77,525 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,250.
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Rasmussen College North Dakota came in at #7 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Fargo, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a small private for-profit university. Rasmussen College North Dakota awarded about 101 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $77,596 in their early career. Rasmussen College North Dakota graduates carry a median of $34,866 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Rasmussen College North Dakota
Bismarck State College came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 43 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bismarck State College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $66,335 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,382 to complete this degree.
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Jamestown College placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jamestown College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Jamestown College generally make around $74,094. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Jamestown College
Dickinson State University landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 16 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Dickinson State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Dickinson State University earn around $68,151 in the first couple years of their career. Dickinson State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
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North Dakota State College Of Science ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. North Dakota State College Of Science awarded about 25 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from North Dakota State College Of Science earn around $59,229 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,098 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at North Dakota State College Of Science
Williston State College earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. This small public university is located in the town of Williston. Williston State College awarded about 26 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $60,944 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Williston State College
Dakota College At Bottineau earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. There were roughly 26 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Dakota College At Bottineau in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $71,421. Typical student debt for the program is $28,334.
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More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
