A 12-hour shift in Minot or Dickinson does not leave much room for a Tuesday afternoon lecture in Grand Forks or Fargo. North Dakota's online and hybrid RN to BSN pathways are built around a working nurse's calendar: asynchronous coursework, compressed 5- and 8-week blocks, and clinical hours placed near home, hallmarks of the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Within nursing programs in North Dakota, UND and NDSU get the closest side-by-side comparison here; cost per credit, start terms, and clinical structure differ enough to alter both a nurse's timeline and total bill. The strongest reason to finish is practical. North Dakota RNs earned a median $80,730 a year, and a BSN positions nurses for leadership roles without requiring a move out of state.
Top Online RN to BSN Programs in North Dakota, Ranked for 2027
Every program on this list is one a licensed registered nurse can finish without relocating, whether the coursework is fully online or blends online classes with clinical hours close to home. Each entry shows the campus city, the delivery format, an approximate net price after aid for the institution as a whole, and the school-wide graduation rate, so you can compare apples to apples before you request information. Program-specific details such as credit requirements, start terms, and GPA minimums appear in the highlights under each card.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Institutional graduation rates
- Online and hybrid delivery options
- Accreditation and program format
- Net price after financial aid
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Mary
#1Bismarck, ND · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Busy RNs needing frequent start dates
A private Catholic university in Bismarck, the University of Mary has shaped its RN to BSN around nurses who need to keep working while they study. The curriculum leans on servant leadership, ethical practice, and care quality, and three start dates a year mean applicants rarely wait long to begin. Generous acceptance of transfer, prior learning, and military credit keeps the road short for nurses who bring years of experience with them.
- $360 per credit tuition rate
- Finish in as little as one year
- Three start dates: fall, spring, and summer
- Minimum 2.8 GPA for admission
- Transfer credit, prior learning, and military credit accepted
- Coursework covers informatics, ethics, and care quality
- Prepares for nurse manager and public health roles
- CCNE accredited
Mayville State University
#2Mayville, ND · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Self-directed learners avoiding scheduled class times
Mayville State pairs a small public campus with one of the most flexible online nursing paths in the state. Courses run asynchronously in five-week blocks, so nurses on rotating hospital schedules are not locked into set class times, and the single clinical requirement can be completed near home. Recent cohorts have finished on schedule at a high rate, and the university is accepting applications for a fall 2026 start.
- Asynchronous courses in five-week blocks
- No scheduled online meetings or campus visits
- 12-month full-time or 24-month part-time track
- One 40-hour clinical completed in your own community
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- 80% on-time completion for the 2023-24 cohort
- Scholarships available for eligible students
- CCNE accredited
University of North Dakota
#3Grand Forks, ND · ~$19,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Returning students preferring a large public university
As the state's flagship public university, UND brings a research-driven nursing school to a fully online format that RNs can complete from anywhere. The completion curriculum is compact and focused on leadership, informatics, and evidence-based practice, with a preceptor-guided clinical practicum built in. A dedicated RN-to-BSN scholarship pool and clearly posted spring and summer deadlines make the financial side easier to plan around.
- 30-credit completion curriculum
- 100% online coursework
- Four weeks of preceptor-guided clinical practice
- Fall start with a July 1 application deadline
- Priority scholarship deadline of April 1
- Focus on leadership, informatics, and evidence-based practice
- Dedicated RN-to-BSN scholarship pool
- Military-friendly program
Minot State University
#4Minot, ND · $13,000/yr (est. net price)
Minot State keeps its RN to BSN deliberately simple: eight-week sessions, rolling admissions, and one flat tuition rate whether the student lives in North Dakota or not. Registered nurses are awarded credit for their NCLEX-RN license, and one-to-one faculty advising helps students map a two-, three-, or four-semester plan. It is a practical choice for nurses who want a public university without a residency price gap.
- Complete in two, three, or four semesters
- Eight-week course sessions with rolling admissions
- Same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students
- Credit awarded for NCLEX-RN licensure
- Public health nursing course with a clinical component
- 1:1 faculty advising for every student
- Minimum 2.75 GPA and an active RN license
- Four nursing courses carry a $150 course fee
University of Jamestown
#5Jamestown, ND · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
The University of Jamestown is a private university in the south-central part of the state that has shaped its RN to BSN around asynchronous study. Courses run in eight- and 16-week terms year-round, and the program accepts substantial transfer credit plus a long list of CLEP exams so nurses can move faster where their prior learning allows. Clinical and preceptorship placements give students supervised practice in their own communities, and each student gets a faculty advisor.
- Asynchronous courses in 8- and 16-week formats
- Finish in as little as one year
- Clinical and preceptorship experiences included
- Transfer credit and 30+ CLEP testing options
- Faculty advisor assigned to each student
- Coursework includes nursing research and community health
- Optional certificate in Psychology for Health Care Professionals
- CCNE accredited
North Dakota State University
#6Fargo, ND · ~$16,000/yr (est.)
North Dakota State University in Fargo is an R1 research university, and its RN to BSN reflects that scale: a structured four-semester sequence, a locked tuition rate, and up to 25 credits awarded at no cost. Online students pay in-state tuition no matter where they live, and a partnership with Williston State College smooths the path for two-year graduates. Short Zoom immersions at the start of each term keep distance learners connected to faculty and classmates.
- Four-semester program built on eight-week blocks
- Up to 25 credits awarded at no cost
- In-state tuition regardless of residency
- Locked tuition rate for the length of the program
- Required Zoom immersions at the start of fall and spring
- Clinicals focused on population health and leadership
- Dedicated academic advisor assigned
- Pathway to director of nursing roles
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
#7Fargo, ND · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
Rasmussen University's Fargo location anchors a career-focused, fully online RN to BSN built for speed and flexibility. A recent refresh lets eligible active RNs waive a block of general-education credits, and the university's corporate alliances can lower tuition for nurses whose employers participate. Eight start dates a year and clinicals arranged in the student's own community suit nurses who want to move quickly without relocating.
- 70 credit hours across 17 courses
- Finish in as few as 12 to 18 months
- $345 per credit, about $24,650 in total tuition
- Up to 28 general-education credits waived for active RNs
- Eight start dates per year
- Transfer up to 134 credits
- Online coursework with clinicals in your community
- Employer savings through 380+ corporate alliances
UND vs. NDSU RN to BSN: Credits, Course Format, and Start Terms Head to Head
On paper, the UND vs. NDSU RN to BSN decision looks close. Both programs list 30 credits and run online, but the week-to-week experience differs. UND pairs self-paced coursework with live web classes held at set times. NDSU uses a tightly structured sequence: 8-week blocks taken one nursing course at a time, plus required virtual immersions each fall and spring semester. If you want the clearest roadmap and a cohort rhythm, NDSU's fixed fall start, one-course-at-a-time pacing, and scheduled Zoom immersions give you that structure, provided you can protect four 1.5-day blocks on your calendar. If you want more say over when you complete most of your work, UND is likely the better fit, though you should still plan around its scheduled live classes because neither program is fully asynchronous. UND's materials do not specify course length or start terms, so confirm both with an advisor before you apply.
| Feature | UND Online RN to BSN | NDSU RN to BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Total program credits | 30 credits | 30 nursing credits, split 7/7/7/9 across terms. NDSU's materials don't make clear whether transfer or general education credits count toward this total. |
| Delivery | Online coursework you complete at a time and place you choose, plus live web classes at set times | 100% online |
| Course length | Not specified in UND's published program details | 8-week blocks, one nursing course at a time. NURS 446 and its lab, NURS 446L, are the exceptions. |
| Live or immersion requirements | Live web classes at scheduled times. UND's program pages don't describe an on-campus immersion. | Required synchronous virtual immersions on Zoom: 1.5 days, once each fall and spring semester, four in total, none in summer. Current materials call them virtual, but an older handbook mentioned on-campus immersions, so confirm the format when you enroll. |
| Start terms | Not specified in UND's published program details | Fall start for qualified applicants. Spring and summer starts are not listed. |
| Full-time completion | About 12 months | 2 semesters |
| Part-time completion | About 24 months. UND notes completion typically takes 1–2 years, depending partly on enrollment status. | 4 semesters, typically one class at a time while working full time |
| Best fit for | Nurses who want flexibility for most coursework and can attend scheduled live sessions | Nurses who like a predictable sequence, a set fall start, and focusing on one course at a time |
What an RN to BSN Costs in North Dakota: Per-Credit Tuition, Fees, and Debt
Both flagship universities bill students in online RN to BSN programs by the credit, and neither publishes a single clean all-in number for the nursing program. Here is what the 2026-27 figures support.
UND and NDSU Per-Credit Costs
- UND: The online program is 30 credits. The per-credit tuition for the RN to BSN is not stated on the program page. Mandatory student fees run $79.59 per credit, capped at $955.08 once a term reaches 12 credits. UND's online tuition is not capped at 12 credits.
- NDSU: The estimated online-only undergraduate rate is $430.47 tuition plus $71.70 in fees, or $502.17 per credit. A separate tuition page lists online Nursing part-time at $512.78 per credit, and the sources do not say whether that figure includes fees. Ask the bursar which rate applies to RN to BSN.
For a rough comparison, 30 credits at $502.17 comes to about $15,065. At $512.78 it is about $15,383. That is an illustration, not NDSU's stated requirement. Your own bill depends on how many RN to BSN transfer credits you receive. NDSU says up to 25 credits may be awarded at no cost, so confirm that with an advisor.
Out-of-State Students and Tuition Incentives
Online students at UND pay the same tuition regardless of residency. NDSU's approved online-only programs also charge the same rate to everyone. NDSU's policy also allows the North Dakota resident rate for approved online-only majors when you declare the major before the semester and take only online classes. NDSU lists the online RN to BSN with the same tuition rate for all students, so out-of-state learners pay the in-state rate. NDSU's 13-credit tuition cap applies only to North Dakota residents and never covers fees.
Net Price, Debt, and Return
Institution-wide average net price after aid is about $18,551 at UND and $15,543 at NDSU. Treat that as context only. It reflects the whole university, not working RNs finishing a completion degree.
Program-level median debt and the 10-year monthly payment are not yet available for either RN to BSN program. Plan from the per-credit math instead, and from what your employer will cover.
The school-level return ratio is roughly 2.88 for UND and 2.68 for NDSU. It is a proxy for the university overall, not the nursing program. Do not use it to predict your own payoff.
Get a written estimate from each bursar before you apply. Ask for tuition, fees, and any nursing-specific charges per term.
How Much Does Each Credit Cost at NDSU and UND in 2027?
NDSU charges online nursing students $513 in tuition plus about $72 in student fees per credit for 2026-27, and residents and non-residents pay the same rate, so every 10 credits you still need adds roughly $5,845. UND also bills online tuition per credit at a single rate regardless of residency and caps mandatory online fees at 12 credits per semester, but its 2026-27 per-credit tuition and fee amounts have not been confirmed, so a head-to-head price gap cannot be shown yet. Before you commit, check UND's current cost details and multiply each school's per-credit total by the credits left on your transfer evaluation.
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Cutting the Bill: Scholarships and Employer Tuition Help for ND Nurses
Few North Dakota nurses should pay full price for affordable online RN to BSN programs, because campus awards, state programs, and employer benefits can stack up.
Scholarships and State Programs
UND offers GPA-based transfer scholarships: $2,000 for a 3.90 to 4.00 GPA (paid $1,000 per semester) and $1,000 for a 3.50 to 3.89 GPA. UND also has a nursing scholarship pool for RN-to-BSN applicants. Award amounts aren't published, and eligibility may depend on program format, so confirm before counting on it. The RN-to-BSN admissions page lists an April 1 priority date.
At the state level, look at:
- Career Builders Scholarship and Loan Repayment: Up to $17,000 toward tuition, fees, books, and supplies. In exchange, you must live and work in a high-need North Dakota occupation for at least three years after graduating, or repay the funds.1
- ND Board of Nursing education loan: Open to bachelor's students and repayable through North Dakota nursing work at $1 per hour worked.2
- Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment: Up to $20,000 for RNs, with a $2,000 employer match and a five-year service contract. The 2026 cycle closed February 28, so plan ahead for the next round.3
Employer Tuition Benefits
Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Altru Health System, and Trinity Health are among the state's largest nursing employers, and systems this size commonly offer education benefits. Current annual caps aren't consistently published, so get the figure from HR in writing. Ask whether money is paid upfront or reimbursed after grades post, and whether you must stay for a set period or repay the benefit if you leave.
File the FAFSA Anyway
Working full time doesn't rule you out. Part-time enrollment can still qualify for some federal aid, and some scholarships expect a FAFSA on file before they'll consider you.
Getting Admitted: GPA, License, and Transfer Requirements
UND and NDSU set similar baselines for licensed nurses, but their application steps and published details differ. Check each item below against the school's current admission pages before you apply.
- Minimum GPANDSU requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA; UND lists 2.75 as a graduation standard and sets no higher admission GPA.
- Active, unencumbered RN licenseBoth schools require a current, unencumbered RN license, so new ADN grads should pass the NCLEX before applying.
- Accredited ADNUND accepts an accredited ADN or diploma; NDSU requires an associate degree in nursing.
- NDSCS and Williston State pathwaysNeither school publishes a 2026–27 articulation agreement with either college, so graduates apply through the standard ADN route.
- Prerequisite coursesUND requires its RN to BSN prerequisites and Essential Studies; neither school publishes a 2026–27 course list, so confirm with an advisor.
- University admission first (UND)You must be admitted to UND before applying to the nursing program.
- Application materials (NDSU)Submit the university and nursing applications, transcripts, healthcare-provider CPR, a background check, and a personal statement, and expect a possible interview.
- Application deadlineUND's deadline is July 1 for the following fall; NDSU opens applications in early 2026 but posts no fixed deadline.
- Start termBoth programs admit for fall only, and neither shows a spring or summer intake for 2026–27.
Enrolling From Outside North Dakota
Registered Nurse Pay in North Dakota
Finishing your BSN builds on a solid statewide pay base. Registered nurses in North Dakota earned a median of $80,730 a year, with a mean annual wage of $83,600.