Best Online RN to BSN Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota’s nursing shortage hits hardest outside its biggest cities, where BSN-prepared nurses are increasingly needed to fill leadership and specialty positions in rural hospitals and tribal reservations. If you’ve already completed your ADN, an online RN to BSN program can prepare you to improve your community while also earning more in these roles. In this guide, we’ll share a look at North Dakota’s best programs, what admissions really ask for, and how much you can expect to pay in tuition.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Healthcare EducationNursingPediatric Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 09/21/2026

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Degree Details
FAQs
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Degree Details
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Program Profiles: Online RN to BSN Degrees in ND

North Dakota’s online RN to BSN programs are structured around the reality of a working nurse’s schedule. Most coursework is delivered asynchronously, so you can log in between your shifts to complete your schoolwork. A few programs include occasional live sessions or a single in-person meeting each semester, but 100% remote didactic offerings are also available.

That said, accreditors require all programs to include some form of hands-on learning. Most, but not all, RN to BSN programs fulfill this requirement with a leadership project or community health capstone instead of traditional clinicals.

The three programs below will give you a good idea of the online RN to BSN programs available in North Dakota.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota’s online RN to BSN program is a 30-credit degree completion track built to keep working nurses connected to their communities. In addition to helping arrange clinical hours in your hometown, the program is also part of UND’s Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing initiative.

While the bulk of coursework is asynchronous, some live web classes are held at set times to give students regular contact with instructors and classmates. UND admits RN to BSN students each fall, and applicants who submit their packet by the April 1 priority deadline are automatically eligible for a dedicated scholarship pool worth up to $15,000.

Duration: One to two years

Mode: Fully online coursework with hometown clinicals

Cost: $491 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited school
Active, unencumbered RN license

North Dakota State University

NDSU’s RN to BSN track offers the bulk of its coursework online and asynchronously. One synchronous, Zoom-based immersion session is required each semester. Coursework centers on quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered leadership, preparing nurses to act as change agents in their communities.

The program is purposely designed so working nurses aren’t repeating material from their associate degree. Instead, students are awarded 18 to 25 “demonstrated competency” credits after their first semester depending on which type of nursing diploma they hold. Tuition is charged at the in-state rate no matter where students are located, making NDSU an accessible option for all online learners.

Duration: One year full-time

Mode: Fully online with one synchronous immersion per semester

Cost: $502 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited school
Active, unencumbered RN license
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Minimum GPA of 2.75
Personal statement
Pass a criminal background check

Mayville State University

One of North Dakota’s most flexible options is Mayville State University’s RN to BSN program. With no required campus visits or scheduled online meetings of any kind, every course is entirely self-directed within its deadlines.

Full-time and part-time enrollment are available, so working RNs can choose the pace that’s right for their schedules. Coursework is delivered in five-week blocks, and all students complete a 40-hour clinical requirement in their community.

Admissions are point-based, weighing applicants on factors like GPA, North Dakota residency, and previous RN experience. This allows students who may be weaker in one area to still be admitted if they are a well-rounded candidate.

Duration: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time

Mode: Fully online coursework

Cost: $295 per credit hour (ND resident); $369 per credit hour (non-ND resident)

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited school
Active, unencumbered RN license (or in final semester of ADN program)
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Two letters of recommendation
Identification of public health clinical site

FAQs for North Dakota RN to BSN Students

Are RN to BSN programs in North Dakota available in a 100% online format?

Yes. North Dakota has several RN to BSN programs that consist of fully online coursework. Many even offer asynchronous learning, which allows working RNs to fit their school around their professional obligations.

That said, expect to complete some form of in-person component. All RN to BSN programs are required to include hands-on learning, and most programs implement this as a leadership or community health project rather than traditional clinicals. Regardless of format, clinical or practicum hours are typically arranged in your community rather than requiring visits to campus or a facility nearby.

How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in North Dakota?

Most of North Dakota’s RN to BSN programs are competitively priced. Per-credit rates typically fall in the $300 to $450 range, and several schools charge the same tuition rate whether you’re a resident or not.

Many schools also offer dedicated scholarship funding for students with strong application packets to make earning your BSN more accessible.

How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in North Dakota?

Most students should plan for at least one to two years to complete an RN to BSN program in North Dakota. However, the exact timeline will depend heavily on how many transfer credits you can transfer in, as well as your enrollment status. Taking classes part-time around a job means you’ll need more time to complete your degree.

Programs also vary in how they award credit for ADN coursework. A transcript review early in the application process can give you a much better idea of your actual timeline than a program’s webpage.

What are the typical admissions requirements for North Dakota online RN to BSN programs?

Across RN to BSN programs in North Dakota, you’ll find two common denominators. To gain admission, you’ll need an ADN or nursing diploma as well as an active, unencumbered RN license. Some programs will allow you to start taking classes while your license is pending as long as you have a concrete plan for taking the NCLEX in the first semester.

You’ll also find many programs asking for a modest admissions packet, including a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5, official transcripts, and completion of select pre-requisite coursework if it wasn’t part of your diploma program.

Is it worth pursuing a BSN in North Dakota if I already have my ADN?

For most working RNs, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for RNs in the U.S. is $93,600 per year. However, BSN-prepared nurses often make between $10,000 to $20,000 more than their ADN counterparts.

In North Dakota, rural hospitals and clinics serving farming communities and tribal nations often struggle to keep specialty and leadership positions filled. A BSN is frequently what qualifies a nurse to step into those roles.

For RNs who want to stay rooted in their hometown while taking on a greater role in serving their community, a BSN degree can be the difference between leaving a position empty and being the one to fill it.

Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN in North Dakota

Registered Nurses

Area ↕︎	10th Percentile ↕︎	Median ↕︎	90th Percentile ↕︎
North Dakota	$65,520	$80,730	$103,480
Bismarck, ND	$67,120	$81,120	$102,720
Fargo, ND-MN	$69,620	$82,120	$103,480
Grand Forks, ND-MN	$66,380	$79,070	$97,850
Minot, ND	$64,990	$80,490	$95,290

Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025

Data does not reflect school-specific information.

Best Online RN to BSN Programs in North Dakota

Program Profiles: Online RN to BSN Degrees in ND

University of North Dakota

North Dakota State University

Mayville State University

FAQs for North Dakota RN to BSN Students

Are RN to BSN programs in North Dakota available in a 100% online format?

How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in North Dakota?

How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in North Dakota?

What are the typical admissions requirements for North Dakota online RN to BSN programs?

Is it worth pursuing a BSN in North Dakota if I already have my ADN?

Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN in North Dakota

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR