Accredited nursing programs in North Dakota
10 schools in North Dakota have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 7 BSN, 3 ADN, 2 LPN, 3 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 6 of 7 listings are CCNE and 2 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 7
- 2 ACEN, 6 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 3
- 3 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 2
- 2 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 3
- 1 ACEN, 3 CCNE
Accredited schools in North Dakota
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Dickinson State University | Dickinson | Public | ACEN | – | ACEN | – |
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Mayville State University | Mayville | Public | ACEN + CCNE | – | – | ACEN + CCNE |
| Minot State University | Minot | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Fargo | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in North Dakota
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The North Dakota board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 7. For bachelor’s degrees, 7 of 8 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (88%). Compare North Dakota BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in North Dakota are accredited?
We matched 10 North Dakota schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 7 BSN, 3 ADN, 2 LPN, 3 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in North Dakota?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all North Dakota bachelor’s programs accredited?
7 of the 8 North Dakota schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.