North Dakota is one of the least visited states in America. While this bodes very poorly for the tourist industry, this situation is ideal for those college students who prefer to study in relative peace and quiet at one of North Dakota's private colleges. Why get swept away by the hustle and bustle of major metropolises when you can study against a backdrop of wide open prairies, majestic mountains, Native American reservations, and breathtaking forests?
North Dakota private colleges and universities offer a wide range of education programs with degrees and certificates up to the doctoral level, as well as professional degrees such as law and medicine.
There are 20 colleges in North Dakota, 14 public and 6 private colleges. These North Dakota private colleges are diverse in character, academic emphasis, and origins. Some private colleges or schools have a religious affiliation; others are secular. Private colleges and universities may be profit or non-profit institutions. Typically, North Dakota independent colleges or private schools give weight to personal characteristics and activities in addition to considering GPA and test scores.
The largest being University of Mary with 2,277 full time students. Jamestown College is the most expensive with an in-state tuition of $17,450. On average, how much does it costs to attend private college in North Dakota? The average annual in-state private college tuition in North Dakota is $9,827 in 2013. Private North Dakota institutions include: Rasmussen College (Bismarck, Fargo), Trinity Bible College (Ellendale), University of Mary (Bismarck) and Minot State University in Minot and others
While many North Dakota private colleges and universities are considerably more expensive than comparable state institutions, they also tend to offer more generous financial aid packages. Many students have found the actual out-of-pocket cost to earn a degree from a private college in North Dakota to be less than the cost of the state schools to which they were accepted. On the one hand, North Dakota public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Check out your state's Guide to Residency. North Dakota private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources of funding. On the other hand, North Dakota private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention (and some believe, more prestige).
The North Dakota Independent College Fund (NDICF) functions as the state organization for 2 private colleges. It serves as a foundation and accepts corporate funding for scholarships.