North Dakota State University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
NDSU’s School of Nursing delivers pre-licensure and completion pathways in Fargo and Bismarck, plus online RN-to-BSN and LPN-to-BSN options. This guide summarizes published tuition (2026), NCLEX-RN outcomes (NDSU 2024 licensure report), and admissions checkpoints—verify every detail with NDSU and the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
One accredited pre-licensure curriculum is delivered on two sites—Fargo (Aldevron Tower) and NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck—so students can train close to home while accessing the same professional nursing sequence and simulation infrastructure.
Overview & Why Students Choose NDSU Nursing
North Dakota State University’s School of Nursing states a mission to advance nursing knowledge and develop leaders who improve health—with emphasis on underserved, rural, and diverse populations. Professional coursework is available in Fargo and at NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck, with skills and simulation labs maintained at both locations.
Beyond the traditional pre-licensure BSN, NDSU lists an accelerated BSN, LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN pathways, and a BSN-to-DNP program preparing family nurse practitioners. Always confirm pathway availability, site placement, and progression rules in the current catalog and School of Nursing materials.
According to NDSU’s 2024 Pass Rates on Licensure Exams (Office of Data Services and Strategic Analytics), the undergraduate BSN NCLEX-RN examination had 171 candidates, 169 passed, for a 98.8% first-time pass rate; the same table lists a 91.2% national pass rate for comparison. Confirm newer cohorts on the NDSU licensure pass-rate page and with the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose NDSU
Two-site pre-licensure model
NDSU offers the same professional nursing program in Fargo and in Bismarck on the Sanford Health campus, expanding access across central and eastern North Dakota.
Published NCLEX performance
The 2024 NDSU licensure report shows a 98.8% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the undergraduate BSN cohort with 171 testers—use it alongside board data when comparing programs.
Multiple entry pathways
NDSU advertises standard and direct pre-licensure tracks, an accelerated BSN, LPN-to-BSN, online RN-to-BSN, and a BSN-to-DNP FNP track for nurses advancing to doctoral preparation.
Rural and community focus
Public materials emphasize improving health for underserved and rural populations—aligned with workforce needs across North Dakota and the upper Midwest.
Modern nursing facilities
Fargo nursing facilities include Aldevron Tower and Sudro Hall; Bismarck hosts classrooms and labs on the Sanford campus—both sites support simulation-enhanced learning.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following pathways are listed on the official NDSU School of Nursing website. Delivery mode, sequencing, and site availability differ by program—use the linked degree pages and the NDSU catalog for authoritative detail.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Pre-Licensure BSN
Two-phase pre-professional and professional curriculum; professional courses at Fargo and Bismarck. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN per NDSU admissions materials.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
NDSU describes completion in about 14.5 consecutive months for qualified entrants—faster than a traditional BSN timeline.
LPN to BSN
For licensed practical nurses seeking a BSN; NDSU markets this as a blended-online pathway with dedicated admission steps.
RN to BSN
100% online BSN completion for licensed RNs; coursework is designed to build on prior nursing education and experience.
Graduate (doctoral)
BSN to DNP (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Face-to-face graduate instruction with synchronous classes between Fargo and Bismarck; prepares FNP certification per NDSU. CCNE accreditation is stated on the DNP program page.
Program titles, tracks, and admission rules can change. Always verify the current program list on ndsu.edu/nursing and in the NDSU catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to NDSU’s 2024 Pass Rates on Licensure Exams PDF, the Nursing – Undergraduate BSN Program – NCLEX Examination line shows 171 candidates, 169 passed, a 98.8% first-time pass rate, with a 91.2% national comparison rate printed in the same row. This is institutional reporting, not a substitute for the North Dakota Board of Nursing’s official files—use both.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN) | 98.8% (2024; 171 candidates per NDSU report) |
| National comparison (same table) | 91.2% (as listed in NDSU 2024 licensure PDF) |
| Primary source | NDSU 2024 Pass Rates on Licensure Exams (PDF) |
| Board of Nursing | North Dakota Board of Nursing — confirm licensure exam statistics and program approval. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting methodology. Confirm the latest first-time pass rates with NDSU and the North Dakota Board of Nursing before making application decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. NDSU notes that F-1 students must select the Fargo site and may not attend the Bismarck nursing site under current federal immigration rules—confirm with NDSU International Admissions. Use the checklist below; this is guidance, not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Meet NDSU and Graduate School minimums if applicable (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo where required).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow NDSU’s international admissions instructions for evaluated transcripts.
- North Dakota Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and documentation with ndbon.org.
- Immigration & visa: Confirm F-1 maintenance, clinical placement eligibility, and site restrictions with NDSU and your DSO.
Policies change frequently. Verify with NDSU International Admissions, the School of Nursing, and the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Standard pre-licensure BSN admission is competitive: NDSU publishes a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75 and prerequisite grades of C or higher, but states that actual GPAs of admitted students are generally higher. Qualified applicants may be invited to complete the Kaplan Nursing Admissions Test (KNAT). Direct-admission freshmen follow a separate process with KNAT and Flip video interview components.
Application timeline (standard pre-licensure BSN)
| Site | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | April 20 (fall and spring starts) | One application cycle per year in spring; see current instructions for fall vs. spring placement. |
| Bismarck | August 1 (fall) / October 20 (spring) | Rolling review; preference for applications by these dates per NDSU. |
| Application opens | Before March 1 (fall) / mid-August (spring) | School of Nursing online application availability. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA to apply | 2.75 cumulative (higher typical for admits) |
| Entrance exam | KNAT for invited applicants per NDSU materials; not TEAS |
| Prerequisites | English 120, COMM 110, PSYC 111, SOC 110 or ANTH 111; sciences including CHEM 117/L, BIOC 260 (or equivalent), MICR 202/L, BIOL 220/L, 221/L; minimum 11 of 19 science credits complete to apply |
| BSN to DNP | Graduate application due February 15 for fall; RN license, BSN GPA 3.0+, references, essay, faculty interviews per DNP page |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from NDSU One Stop Undergraduate Tuition (nursing differential, 2026 chart) and Mandatory Student Fees (Fall 2025 / Spring & Summer 2026). Full-time undergraduates pay a 13-credit tuition cap for NDSU tuition (fees still apply per credit unless noted). Non-resident, reciprocity, and international tiers differ—see the official chart.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing tuition (ND resident, full-time 13+ credits) | $5,877.50 per semester |
| Nursing tuition (ND resident, part-time 1–12 credits) | $483.76 per credit |
| Mandatory student fees (Fall/Spring) | $69.54 per credit (Fall 2025, Spring & Summer 2026) |
| Full-time fee cap (12 cr max billed) | $834.40 total mandatory fees (per NDSU fee page) |
| Graduate DNP tuition | Not listed in this undergraduate table—see NDSU Graduate School tuition |
| Source | Undergraduate Tuition · Mandatory Student Fees · Cost of attendance overview |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NDSU publishes aggregate licensure exam outcomes. Job placement rates for nursing graduates are not summarized on this page; check NDSU career outcomes or consumer information if available.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, first-time) | 98.8% (2024; 171 candidates; NDSU licensure PDF) |
| AANP exam (DNP program) | 100% (2024; 17 of 17 passed; same NDSU PDF) |
| Job placement | Not publicly disclosed on the sources used here—confirm with NDSU Career and Advising |
Is NDSU the Right Fit for You?
NDSU fits students who want a public, research university experience with nursing instruction anchored in Fargo–Moorhead or Bismarck and rural-health priorities. It may be less ideal if you need a fully online pre-licensure program or guaranteed admission without a competitive review.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want CCNE-accredited BSN preparation with published NCLEX outcomes (see NDSU 2024 report).
- Value choosing between Fargo campus instruction or Sanford Health–based study in Bismarck.
- Plan to stay in the upper Midwest where Sanford, Essentia, and community hospitals anchor clinical demand.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot relocate or commute to Fargo or Bismarck for pre-licensure coursework (RN-to-BSN remains online).
- Expect TEAS-based admission—NDSU uses the KNAT for invited pre-licensure applicants.
- Need F-1 study at the Bismarck site (restricted per NDSU policy).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
NDSU states that Fargo–Moorhead and Bismarck offer diverse hospitals and community agencies for clinical learning, including acute, long-term, pediatric, public health, emergency, critical care, labor and delivery, and mental health settings. Specific rotation assignments vary by semester—confirm with the School of Nursing.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Sanford Health (Fargo & Bismarck) | Large regional system; Bismarck campus hosts NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health classrooms and labs. |
| Essentia Health – Fargo | Major tertiary hospital serving eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. |
| CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck | Key acute-care provider in central North Dakota; common destination for regional nursing graduates. |
| Rural & community sites | NDSU mission emphasizes rural and underserved populations—expect rotations outside metro cores when program requirements allow. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
In Fargo, nursing uses Aldevron Tower and adjoining Sudro Hall for classrooms, labs, and offices; Bismarck students use skills, assessment, and simulation facilities on the Sanford campus. NDSU nursing promotes student organizations and community events—see the School of Nursing news feed for current groups and campaigns such as Giving Hearts Day.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Fargo, ND (main); Bismarck, ND (Sanford site)
- Address (FedEx/UPS)
- 1455 14th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58102, US
- Telephone
- Fargo (701) 231-7395 · Bismarck (701) 224-3800
- Contact email
- ndsu.nursing@ndsu.edu
- Website
- NDSU School of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest standard application instructions and handbook PDFs from the School of Nursing.
- Map NDSU prerequisite courses (ENGL 120, COMM 110, sciences, etc.) to your transcripts.
- If you apply to pre-licensure pathways, budget for the KNAT and any proctoring fees described in direct-admission FAQs; confirm whether you will be invited to test.
- Email ndsu.nursing@ndsu.edu (Fargo) or the Bismarck contact on the School of Nursing site with site-specific questions.
- Review the 2026 tuition chart for your residency tier plus mandatory fees.
- Bookmark the licensure pass-rate PDF and compare with Board of Nursing data.
- Add application deadlines (Fargo April 20; Bismarck Aug 1 / Oct 20) to your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does NDSU publish for pre-licensure BSN graduates?
NDSU’s 2024 Pass Rates on Licensure Exams (Office of Data Services and Strategic Analytics) lists a 98.8% first-time pass rate for the undergraduate BSN NCLEX examination with 171 candidates. Confirm newer cohorts on the OIRA pass-rate page and with the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
What tuition does NDSU charge for undergraduate nursing majors in 2026?
The Undergraduate Tuition chart lists nursing differential tuition for North Dakota residents at $5,877.50 per semester for full-time capped enrollment (13+ credits) and $483.76 per credit part-time, plus mandatory student fees ($69.54 per credit Fall/Spring per the Student Fees page). Non-resident tiers differ.
Does NDSU require the TEAS exam for nursing?
No—NDSU’s materials emphasize the Kaplan Nursing Admissions Test (KNAT) for invited pre-licensure applicants, along with Flip video interviews for direct admission. Confirm your pathway’s current testing rules in the application PDFs.
When are standard pre-licensure BSN applications due at Fargo vs. Bismarck?
NDSU lists April 20 for the Fargo site (fall and spring starts) and August 1 (fall) / October 20 (spring) for Bismarck, with applications opening before March 1 for fall and mid-August for spring.
Where does NDSU hold pre-licensure nursing classes?
Professional nursing courses run at the Fargo campus (Aldevron Tower and Sudro Hall) and at NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck, each with skills and simulation labs.
Is NDSU’s nursing program accredited?
NDSU states that the baccalaureate degree in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The DNP page also references CCNE accreditation for the doctoral program.
What minimum GPA does NDSU require to apply to the standard BSN track?
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and prerequisite grades of C or better; admitted students typically exceed these minimums.
Can F-1 students complete pre-licensure nursing in Bismarck?
NDSU states that F-1 students must choose the Fargo site and cannot study at the Bismarck site under current federal immigration regulations—verify with International Admissions.
What DNP certification outcome does NDSU report?
The 2024 NDSU licensure PDF shows 17 of 17 candidates passing the graduate DNP AANP examination (100% for that row). The DNP program page also discusses FNP certification outcomes—confirm methodology with the school.
References
- North Dakota State University School of Nursingndsu.edu/nursing
- NDSU — Standard pre-licensure BSN admissionAdmission requirements and deadlines
- NDSU — Undergraduate tuition (nursing differential)onestop/account/tuition/undergraduate
- NDSU — Mandatory student feesStudent Fees
- NDSU Office of Data Services — 2024 Pass Rates on Licensure Exams (PDF)2024PassRatesLicensureExams.pdf
- NDSU — Licensure exam pass rate indexOIRA pass rates
- North Dakota Board of Nursingndbon.org
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, with emphasis on NCLEX figures (NDSU OIRA PDF), tuition tables (NDSU One Stop), and program pathways (NDSU School of Nursing).
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy