North Dakota Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re planning to become a teacher in North Dakota, you’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide is designed to help you explore your options among North Dakota’s teaching schools and degree programs. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved institutions, along with lists of the most affordable and top programs to help you choose the best path for your teaching career in the state.
Table of Contents
- ND Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 8 Affordable ND Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked North Dakota Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of North Dakota Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 13 North Dakota teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our North Dakota traditional certification guide and our North Dakota alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson State University | Yes | 140 | 33 | 85% | — | — | — | $13,080 |
| Mayville State University | Yes | 211 | 83 | 91% | — | — | — | $13,891 |
| Minot State University | Yes | 272 | 94 | 82% | — | — | — | $11,949 |
| North Dakota State University | Yes | 247 | 54 | 88% | — | — | — | $16,638 |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | $6,707 |
| Sitting Bull College | No | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | $496 |
| Trinity Bible College | No | 26 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Turtle Mountain Community College | No | 19 | 6 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $8,734 |
| United Tribes Technical College | No | 11 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $4,185 |
| University of Jamestown | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | $19,744 |
| University of Mary | No | 270 | 53 | 97% | — | — | — | $18,617 |
| University of North Dakota | Yes | 302 | 140 | 86% | — | — | — | $16,780 |
| Valley City State University | Yes | 382 | 134 | 87% | — | — | — | $12,108 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in North Dakota
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These eight most affordable schools have a net price under $14,000.
- Sitting Bull College ($496)
- United Tribes Technical College ($4,185)
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College ($6,707)
- Turtle Mountain Community College ($8,734)
- Minot State University ($11,949)
- Valley City State University ($12,108)
- Dickinson State University ($13,080)
- Mayville State University ($13,891)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in North Dakota
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in North Dakota
Our list of the top five bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- University of Mary (97%)
- Mayville State University (91%)
- North Dakota State University (88%)
- Valley City State University (87%)
- University of North Dakota (86%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The six North Dakota schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College
- Dakota College at Bottineau
- Minot State University
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
- Sitting Bull College
- United Tribes Technical College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/