Nursing Schools in North Dakota: All 22 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates
North Dakota has 13 schools running 22 board-approved nursing programs — 15 RN-track and 7 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across North Dakota programs is 89.9%, 3.4 points above the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.
Best Nursing Schools in North Dakota by NCLEX Pass Rate
Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding.
- 1100%Minot State UniversityMinot · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 2100%Williston State CollegeWilliston · Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)
- 397%North Dakota State UniversityFargo · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 497%North Dakota State UniversityBismarck · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 596.8%University of MaryBismarck · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 694.7%University of JamestownJamestown · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 793.6%University of North DakotaGrand Forks · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 892.7%Bismarck State CollegeBismarck · Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)
- 982.4%Rasmussen UniversityFargo · Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing Programs
- 1081.8%Dakota College at BottineauBottineau · Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)
Every Approved Nursing Program in North Dakota
Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.
22 of 22 programs · “—” = no 2025 first-time pass rate published by the board
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)RN | 92.7% |
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Certificate & Diploma LPN Programs (Certificate)PN | 100% |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | Bottineau | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)RN | 81.8% |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | Bottineau | Certificate & Diploma LPN Programs (Certificate)PN | 100% |
| Dickinson State University | Dickinson | Associate Degree LPN Programs (AASPN)PN | 100% |
| Dickinson State University | Dickinson | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 75% |
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)RN | 76% |
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Certificate & Diploma LPN Programs (Certificate)PN | 97.7% |
| Minot State University | Minot | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 100% |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS & ASN)RN | 81.8% |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | Certificate & Diploma LPN Programs (Diploma)PN | 91.6% |
| North Dakota State University | Fargo | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 97% |
| North Dakota State University | Bismarck | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 97% |
| Rasmussen University | Fargo | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 82.4% |
| Sitting Bull College | Fort Yates | Associate Degree LPN Programs (ASPN)PN | 100% |
| University of JamestownNew/provisional | Fargo | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (ASN)RN | — |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 94.7% |
| University of JamestownNew/provisional | Fargo | Direct Entry Master's Degree RN Programs (DEMSN)RN | — |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 96.8% |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | Baccalaureate Degree RN Nursing ProgramsRN | 93.6% |
| Williston State College | Williston | Associate Degree RN Nursing Programs (AAS)RN | 100% |
| Williston State College | Williston | Certificate & Diploma LPN Programs (Certificate)PN | 100% |
Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line
The pass rates above are made by students, not buildings. Students who do well start NCLEX-style practice in their first semester — studying for class exams and the boards at the same time. NurseSavvy turns your own course materials into matched NCLEX practice questions from day one, for $19/mo after a free 14-day trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nursing school in North Dakota by NCLEX pass rate?
2 RN programs in North Dakota tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Minot State University in Minot — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.
How many nursing schools are in North Dakota?
North Dakota has 13 schools offering 22 board-approved nursing programs: 15 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 7 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate in North Dakota?
Across North Dakota RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 89.9% — 3.4 points above the national average of 86.5%.
What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?
It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.
About this data
Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the North Dakota board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.