Best Community Colleges in North Dakota of 2023

North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND, is the top community college in the state as the school provides affordable, high-quality associate’s degree and certificate programs in 13 occupational clusters. These programs, which cover subjects ranging from business to liberal arts, are designed to help students successfully transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce. NDSCS has transfer agreements with North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana schools, giving students several options when transferring to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Students can enroll in on-campus or online courses depending on their scheduling needs, and the school supports student success through tutoring, academic advising, and career support services. Individuals that need help paying for college may be eligible for one of several NDSCS scholarships, including the school’s general academic scholarship, which is available to all students with a minimum score of 22 on the ACT.

Williston State College offers transfer programs, certificate programs, and associate’s degrees in accounting, agriculture, business management, cybersecurity, and nursing. Working adults can take classes online or part-time for added flexibility, and the school’s tutoring and academic advising services support students throughout their time at Williston. WSC stands out as an excellent option for workforce training and professional development. The school offers over 100 programs in areas like transportation, healthcare, safety, business, and technology. Many of these classes are available online, making it easier for working professionals to develop their skills. Business owners can also enroll in courses to improve their leadership and workforce management skills. Like most community colleges, WSC has an open-door admissions policy, meaning it is open to any student with a high school diploma or GED. Degree-seeking students must also take placement tests before enrolling in any courses.

Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND, offers varied programs to provide students with unique job opportunities. The school offers a liberal arts transfer program, several career-oriented associate’s degrees, and various certificate programs in areas like education, information technology, marketing, and nursing. LRSC also offers GED courses through its Adult Education Center, and individuals can enroll in community education classes to develop new skills and hobbies. Those who wish to enter the workforce as quickly as possible should take advantage of Lake Region State College's Earn and Learn Apprenticeship Program. This structured work-based learning program helps students build interpersonal and technical skills while giving them hands-on work experience, providing a clear pathway to employment. LRSC has active apprenticeships in several programs, including cybersecurity, nursing, electronics technician, and electromechanical technician.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-one, Dakota College at Bottineau is an exceptional choice for students who value personalized attention and instruction. The school offers associate’s degrees in a diverse range of topics, including agriculture, advertising, information technology, and natural resources management. Students may also enroll in two-year transfer programs if they are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university. While the school has low tuition rates to begin with, DCB’s financial aid staff helps students find grants, loans, and scholarships to make their education even more affordable. DCB’s LEAP program makes the school a great choice for high school students that want to get a head start on their college education. Through this program, high school students can earn a college certificate alongside their high school diploma, helping them save time and money.

Situated in Fort Totten, ND, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a tribal college that serves students living on and around the Spirit Lake Reservation. The school offers 12 programs for associate degrees and certificates in areas like business administration, indigenous studies, early childhood education, liberal arts, and social work. CCCC also offers a unique Dakota language certificate program to help students gain knowledge of their traditions and culture. Students that need help paying for college may be eligible for several scholarships aimed specifically at American Indian and Alaska Native students. The school also participates in the Federal TRIO Program, which helps first-generation and low-income college students receive academic support services at no additional cost.

Bismarck State College is a polytechnic institution that provides programs designed to help students become ready for the workforce as quickly as possible. As a polytechnic institution, Bismarck State College focuses on giving students practical, hands-on experience. The school offers over 40 programs that lead to degrees, diplomas, or certificates in areas like cybersecurity, energy, health sciences, STEM, and agriculture. Unlike most community colleges, Bismarck also offers a selection of four-year degrees, making it a suitable option for students that want to pursue an affordable bachelor’s degree. Bismarck’s programs are developed in partnership with employers, alums, and other working professionals to provide students with a direct path to employment, and students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships, cooperative education, service-learning, and community service.

Based in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of nine-to-one, making it the best community college in North Dakota for students who prioritize receiving personalized instruction during their studies. The school offers courses at three locations and primarily serves students living in and around the Standing Rock Reservation. 79% of students that attend Sitting Bull College receive some form of financial aid, helping offset the already affordable tuition rates. Sitting Bull’s programs cover a wide range of subjects, including business administration, social work, environmental science, Native American studies, and practical nursing. The school offers certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees, allowing students to pursue a diverse range of career opportunities. Any person who is a graduate of an accredited high school or has a GED certificate is eligible for admission to Sitting Bull College.

Located in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a tribally-controlled college that primarily serves the educational needs of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians but is open to any person who desires to pursue higher education. The school is one of the six founding members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. TMCC offers associate’s degrees, certificate of completion programs, and four-year degrees in elementary education and secondary science teacher education. At only $74 per credit, TMCC’s tuition rates are among the lowest in North Dakota, and the school’s financial aid staff helps students find loans, scholarships, and grants to help them pay for their education.

Located just four miles south of Bismarck, ND, United Tribes Technical College is a tribal college that offers degree and certificate programs in a diverse range of fields, including everything from automotive technology and business administration to environmental engineering and welding technology. UTTC’s programs cover program-specific learning outcomes as well as general education requirements to prepare students to continue their education at a four-year university if they so choose. UTTC’s credit-by-examination initiative makes the school an excellent choice for individuals with prior learning or professional experience. This program allows students to receive course credit by taking an examination without formally enrolling in a course. By doing this, students can earn their degrees or certificates on an accelerated timeline.

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town, ND, offers a diverse course lineup to provide students with exciting and unique career opportunities. The school’s programs include addiction studies, business administration, computer science, elementary education, environmental science, and Native American studies. NHS College stands out by providing unique student cohort opportunities, allowing students to study alongside the same group of students as they pursue their degrees or certificates. By belonging to a cohort, students may gain access to unique opportunities, including internships, research, financial support, community service, increased interaction with faculty, and job placement. Each cohort has unique requirements for acceptance and continued membership. Cohorts are available for several programs, including environmental science, pre-engineering, and Native American studies.