6 Best Low-Cost and Free Online Colleges in North Dakota

1. University of North Dakota

The state's flagship university The University of North Dakota's UND Online provides an extraordinary number of accredited degree options for online undergraduate degrees, which can either be accelerated or regular programs.

Online students pay tuition by the credit hour for all enrollment at program-specific online tuition rates. The base rates for online students are $396.43 plus $71.43 in mandatory fees, totaling $467.86 per credit hour, regardless of residency.

The regular online degree programs include such unusual majors such as the following:

• Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
• Aviation Safety and Operations (B.S.)
• Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
• Civil Engineering (B.S.)
• Environmental Geoscience (B.S.)
• Esports (B.S.)
• Indigenous Language Education (B.S. Ed.)
• Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)
• Petroleum Engineering (B.S.).

The university's distinctive accelerated and combined degree programs are rare opportunities for online students. Most of the programs are combined bachelor's and master's programs, providing students with a fast path to a graduate degree.

• Accountancy (Accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc.)
• Biomedical Engineering (Accelerated B.S. in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering/M.S.)
• Chemical Engineering (Combined B.S./M.S.)
• Civil Engineering (Combined B.S./M.S.)
• Computer Science (Accelerated B.S./M.S.)
• Early Childhood Education (Accelerated B.S.Ed/M.S.Ed also in Special Education)
• Electrical Engineering (Combined B.S./ M.Eng.)
• Elementary Education (Accelerated B.S.Ed./M.S. also in Reading Education)
• Energy Engineering (Combined B.S./M.S. or M.Eng.)
• General Studies (Accelerated B.G.S./M.Ed. in Special Education)
• Geological Engineering (Combined B.S./M.S.)
• Geology (Combined B.S./M.A. or M.S.)
• Kinesiology (Accelerated B.S./M.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (Combined B.S./M.S. or M.Eng.)
• Public Affairs or Political Science (Accelerated B.S. or B.A./M.P.A.)
• Public Health (Accelerated B.S./M.P.H)

2. North Dakota State

North Dakota State University currently offers six fully online undergraduate degree programs:

• B.S. in Business Administration
• B.S. in Economics
• B.S. in Human Development and Family Science
• B.S. in Marketing
• B.S.N. in Nursing (RN-to-BSN or LPN-to-BSN)
• Bachelor of University Studies

Tuition rates at NDSU vary based on the degree program and the student's home state or country. The base tuition for a North Dakota resident is $383 per credit hour, but interested students should contact the admissions office for information.

Discounted tuition is available to out-of-state students from other western states with reciprocity agreements.

3. Minot State University

Minot State University offers a strong selection of online degree programs at the bachelor's level. Tuition and fees together come to $354.49 per credit hour, with a block rate available for 12 to 18 hours per semester. Degrees include:

• B.S. in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of General Studies
• Bachelor of Individualized Studies
• B.S. in Management
• B.S. in Marketing
• B.S. in Entrepreneurship
• B.S. in International Business
• B.S. in Management Information Systems
• B.S in Early Childhood (non-teacher licensure)
• B.S. in Education with a major in Special Education
• B.S. in Nursing Completion Program for the Registered Nurse
• B.S. in Human Services: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Programs

4. Valley City State University

If you're seeking some distinctive online undergraduate degrees, Valley City State University provides a wide variety of majors via remote learning.

Tuition is a bargain, too, with North Dakota residents paying $220.63 per credit hour and out-of-state (including international) students paying $275.76 per credit hour for online study.

Degree programs available online include:

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Management
• B.A./B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in Agribusiness, Human Resources and Management, Managerial Accounting and Finance, Marketing, Business Process Integration Management
• B.A./B.S. in Career and Technical Education, Communication, Computer Information Systems, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Social Science, and Software Engineering
• B.S. in Education in Business, Composite Business, Career and Technical, Elementary, English, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Social Science, and Technology Education
• Bachelor of University Studies

5. Mayville State University

Mayville State University provides 15 online bachelor's degree programs:

• B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting, Agribusiness, Biology, Mathematics, Nursing
• B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Physical Education, Special Education
• B.A. in Early Childhood Education and English
• Bachelor of University Studies

Mayville State University's online tuition and fees for undergraduates provide a flat rate of $336.26 per credit regardless of a student's state or country of residency. Nursing degrees assess tuition and fees at $380.14 per credit.

6. The University of Mary

The University of Mary is a private Catholic university in Bismarck that offers online bachelor's degrees in several programs. Undergraduate online tuition is $470 per credit hour plus a technology/distance learning fee of $44 per credit. Programs include:

• B.S. in Accounting, Addiction Counseling, Business Administration, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security Administration, Elementary Education, Marketing, Psychology
• B.S.N. Accelerated Second Degree Program
• Nursing (LPN to BSN)
• Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Respiratory Therapy (RRT to BSRT)

FAFSA

To qualify for financial aid, you or your family must submit the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which determines your eligibility for federal financial aid and many scholarship and grant programs.

Learn more at the Federal Student Aid website.

Pell Grant

Undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need may qualify for a Pell Grant. Your FAFSA application will determine your eligibility. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

North Dakota's public universities may offer tuition waivers. Some waivers are at each institution's discretion, so be sure to speak to the Financial Aid office at each campus. Students who may be eligible for waivers include:

• Senior citizens
• Law Enforcement Officers
• North Dakota University System employees and spouses/dependents of system employees
• National Guard Members
• Surviving dependents of veterans who were killed in action, died of service-related causes, were prisoners of war, have 100% service-connected disability, or were declared missing in action
• Surviving spouse and children of firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, and peace officers who died in the line of duty
• Culturally and economically diverse students

Numerous scholarships are available, so be sure to speak to the financial aid office at each school. The North Dakota Community Foundation and the Erickson Merkel Foundation offer many scholarships.

Other highlights include:

North Dakota Scholarship

• Up to $6,000
• Criteria for eligibility include an ACT score of 24 or SAT composite of 1180, a 3.0 GPA, plus several other qualifications.

North Dakota Indian Scholars Program

• $Up to 2,000
• Open to North Dakota residents enrolled in a federally recognized Indian tribe with demonstrated need and/or merit.

North Dakota Scholars Program

• A merit-based award that pays full tuition and fees to ND students who score in the 95th percentile on the ACT.

Hattie Tedrow Scholarship

• Up to $2,000
• Awarded to direct descendants of a U.S. military veteran.

Does FAFSA Cover Online College in North Dakota?

Yes, completing a FAFSA form is an essential first step to determining your eligibility for almost any form of financial aid in North Dakota.

Does North Dakota Have Free Tuition?

While North Dakota colleges do not offer free tuition to all students, the many tuition waivers (see above) provide a large number of students each year with free tuition.

Do People with Certain Medical Conditions Qualify for Free Online College Tuition in North Dakota?

Yes, many scholarships nationwide exist for students with particular health or medical conditions and those with physical and learning disabilities.

If you need help finding a college or a major program for your online studies, reach out to Best Accredited Colleges. We are the source of information on degree programs and scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.