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2025 Best Online Community Colleges in North Dakota

By Jordan Beliles • Edited by Bailey Fletcher • Updated 7/16/2024

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  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

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Online community colleges in North Dakota offer key benefits such as reduced costs, flexible scheduling, and the ability to balance work, life, and study. Each school is accredited and offers support services such as academic advising, library resources, and career services that are often accessible online to enhance the student experience.

Key Takeaways 

  • Bismarck State College boasts graduate earnings of $68,299, giving it an A grade in our Salary Scores metric.
  • All colleges recognized for affordability maintain tuition costs below $6,466, ensuring financial accessibility.

Our methodology for organizing the best colleges by state is meant to accommodate the diverse needs of prospective students. We classify schools into three distinct categories (Best by Salary Score, Best by Affordability, and an Honorable Mention) rather than providing a traditional numerical ranking system. 

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

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Best by Salary Score

We evaluate online schools by alumni salaries to help prospective students determine the best financial investment. Each school gets a Salary Score letter grade based on top-earning graduates. The high-earning online community college in North Dakota we chose has median graduate earnings of $68,299.

Bismarck State College

Key Metrics:

  • Salary Score: A
  • Median Earning: $68,299

Why We Like Them:

BSC has high median earnings for alumni at $68,299, situating them among the top 6% of community colleges. This suggests a high return on investment for students who choose to pursue their education here. Comparing this metric with another significant performance indicator, BSC also boasts a substantial online student enrollment of 1,294 individuals. This places the college in the top 31% of institutions for online enrollment. BSC offers online associate and bachelor's degrees across various fields. Standout programs include an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Information Technology.

Best by Affordability

The OnlineU staff manually researches and verifies tuition costs and online degrees on official school websites. Highly affordable schools in North Dakota have tuition costs below $7,000.

Williston State College

Key Metrics:

  • Annual Tuition: $4,276

Why We Like Them:

WSC secures its position as the most affordable community college in North Dakota with a tuition fee of $4,276, placing it among the top 12% of the most economical institutions nationwide. WSC also excels in offering support to its students, as evidenced by 93% of the student body receiving financial aid. This commitment to reducing financial barriers helps ensure that education is accessible. With Blackboard as its learning management system, WSC ensures an engaging online education experience. The online programs include associate degrees in arts, science, accounting, and business management.

Dakota College at Bottineau

Key Metrics:

  • Annual Tuition: $6,298

Why We Like Them:

DCB earns its position on our list thanks to its affordable tuition of $6,298, placing it among the top 25% of the most cost-effective community colleges across the country. Another benefit is the student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, placing the school in the top 17%, and ensuring personalized attention for distance learners. If you are interested in pursuing online education, DCB offers over 100 online classes across a plethora of programs, including accounting technology, medical coding, and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Lake Region State College

Key Metrics:

  • Annual Tuition: $6,466

Why We Like Them:

LRSC is a highly affordable college in North Dakota with a tuition rate of $6,466. Coupled with the fact that 99% of students receive financial aid, LRSC clearly emphasizes affordability and accessibility in higher education. Additionally, while many institutions have adopted online learning models, LRSC’s online campus offers distance learning courses in semester or 8-week formats that are delivered asynchronously, giving you the flexibility to complete your studies while keeping a part-time job. Online programs include associate degrees in business administration, early childhood education, and marketing.

Honorable Mention

Many community colleges don't fit neatly into a single category. Our Honorable Mention section highlights schools that have unique attributes worth considering. For example, our Honorable Mention category showcases an online community college in North Dakota with a low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

North Dakota State College of Science

Key Metrics:

  • Online Students: 373

Why We Like Them:

NDSCS offers strong educational support and accessibility. Of note is its student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, placing NDSCS among the top 17% of nationwide schools for this metric, ensuring you receive personalized attention and support from faculty. Additionally, with 100% of students receiving financial aid, NDSCS demonstrates a commitment to making education accessible, putting in the top 18% for this category. NDSCS offers a wide array of online programs across various fields, including health information, business management, and information and communications technology.

Student Reviews of Online Associate Programs

Caesar, Graduated 2025

Attended: Full Sail University

FullSail is a great learning institution. The staff makes it feel like a family. The online learning experience was a scary one, but the amount of support from the FullSail community was so helpful in my progress gave the online experience on unbelievable feeling. Online learning can be very difficult at times, but FullSail is always there to give you the push you need of encouragement as well as support. I recommend online schooling at FullSail if you’re a family man or woman you have a kid and... Read More

Review Date: 4/25/2025

Attended: Full Sail University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Caesar, Graduated 2025

Tameme McQueen, Graduated 2025

Attended: Bryan University Online

I'm so glad I chose Bryan University as my school. It works well with my schedule of being a parent and having a full-time job. So far, my instructor is friendly and very understanding. I thought I would not make it because life hit me hard. My success coach and instructor helped me get back on the right path. They care about you achieving your goals. That's what I
love about Bryan University.

Review Date: 6/18/2024

Attended: Bryan University Online

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Tameme McQueen, Graduated 2025

Kay, Graduated 2025

Attended: Valencia College

If you can avoid this College, do so. Go to Seminole State College or go directly to UCF. The staff at Valencia don't help via email or phone. And if you have a issue, you will need to go in person to have it resolved. The only positive is the cost of tuition. If you can deal with incompetency, then Valencia is a great College.

Review Date: 5/14/2025

Attended: Valencia College

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Kay, Graduated 2025

LATRICE MCDANIEL, Graduated 2023

UMA allowed me to complete my degree in HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES at my own pace. I am pleased to say the affordable distant learning offers student resources that will help you educational journey. -Trust the process and enroll Now this is worth it

Review Date: 2/12/2023

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

LATRICE MCDANIEL, Graduated 2023

Riffat Tasnia, Graduated 2022

Attended: Purdue Global

I loved being a student of Purdue university global. I am going to continue my study in this University In-Sha-Allah. Starting Bachelor’s program right after Graduation and already registered for classes. I never had to worry about anything, course plan , homework, support from professors, technical support, everything was wonderful. I felt confident that I will graduate and I am still holding GPA 4.00 and hoping to finish with the grade in 4 weeks. Thanks for outstanding service Purdue university... Read More

Review Date: 3/10/2022

Attended: Purdue Global

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Riffat Tasnia, Graduated 2022

Trina c. Ball, Graduated 2022

UMA has helped me through school with guidance and support helping me academically strive to be the best student I can be. I’ve learned and accomplished a lot since I’ve been attending classes online. l’m a better student now, sister, friend, and caregiver to my mom. I’m a better person intelligent and smart. UMA helped me mentally by helping my mind work to excel. Thanks UMA and Instructors.

Review Date: 4/5/2022

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Trina c. Ball, Graduated 2022

Elizabeth, Graduated 2021

Amazing program. A lot of the reviews that I am seeing are people complaining about howe much work there is to do, or how much they are required to remember. This program is made for people who are going to be self motivated to finish. You do have a a lot of things to remember and go over, and yes you're constantly studying, BUT THATS WHAT COLLEGE IS!!! I suggest this program it is wonderful, I can work full time and study on my days off!!!!!

Review Date: 1/16/2021

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Elizabeth, Graduated 2021

Harold, Graduated 2019

Attended: Thomas Edison State University

This school was very military friendly and easy to navigate the portal, the coursework was challenging but didn’t provide a heavy load and worked well with my work schedule. I would highly recommend this school to anyone seeking a degree in any field. Most of my colleagues agree.

Review Date: 11/21/2019

Attended: Thomas Edison State University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Harold, Graduated 2019

Anthony Hamilton, Graduated 2018

Attended: Argosy University Online

I started Argosy back in January of 2015 and I have had nothing but good things to say about this school. The professor will push you to a breaking point but it's good because you sometimes need that little push . All of my professors , (so far) have been understanding if something has come up and they worked with me and gave me extended time on assignment if needed . Overall great school!

Review Date: 11/5/2016

Attended: Argosy University Online

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Anthony Hamilton, Graduated 2018

AZSissy, Graduated 2017

Attended: Cochise College

I love Cochise. My experience with every facet of this college has been positive. The tuition is very reasonable, the staff and instructors have all be courteous, professional and above all competent. Most importantly, I have benefited academically from the curriculum and instruction. I leave soon to transfer to a four year institution and am doing so as a more knowledgeable and confident student. Great school.

Review Date: 10/4/2016

Attended: Cochise College

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

AZSissy, Graduated 2017

Brandy Rollinson, Graduated 2017

Attended: Herzing University

I think the program well prepared me, but I would have like to have more in field experience to prepare for the work place after my schooling. I am happy to say I am working as a medical assistant today and I couldn't be more blessed for my education that I have obtained.

Review Date: 9/22/2017

Attended: Herzing University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Brandy Rollinson, Graduated 2017

Kristi McDonald, Graduated 2016

I am currently a very satisfied student with UMA. I be he had my moments of frustration, but I have never been let down during these times, unless it's been me not reaching out. I'm truly sorry for any bad experiences anyone has had. I don't see any in my future and have had no warning signs yet. Online is a bit more difficult for me, I have to put extra effort into my commitment, but I LOVE it. Hopefully in 2016 when I graduate, I will have more great things to share.

Review Date: 9/18/2015

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Kristi McDonald, Graduated 2016

Anonymous, Graduated 2012

Attended: University of Phoenix

I have attended a technical college for nursing, an on campus university for teaching, and now online for psychology. I chose online because I live in the middle of nowhere-the nearest college is over 45 miles from my home. This is the most intense education I have received. I am forced to interact with my classmates with substantive conversations and minimum word count. During my other times in school, it was irrelevent if I ever met my classmates. I have minimally one quiz and one test in each... Read More

I do not have to schedule a meeting with my professors-I have a private chatroom for only the two of us and they reply to anything I post within 24 hours-most within a couple of hours. They are available by telephone as well. My advisors call or email regularly and I look forward to their calls.

When I graded the school from Terrible to Fantastic, they received Fantastic in all but Job Placement Services. They cannot be held responsible for that because the field I chose has limited opportunities.

What they have done however is help me with preparation for qualifying for anything should the opportunity arise-from resume preparation to making sure, and helping me to through the difficult paths to be sure I am certified in my state and meet all the requirements for the positions my degree qualifies me for-in addition to an excellent education-a five star education.

Review Date: 11/28/2012

Attended: University of Phoenix

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Anonymous, Graduated 2012

marie adams, Graduated 2009

Attended: Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art is an institution that has great customer service to wheel you in, but they don’t deliver in assisting the students to a career. It is very appealing artistically to the students, and it has great fashionable glamour’s charm with the latest software and applications. The tuition is very high, and the teachers are not academically very good. They create programs to make it difficult to pass, so you can repeat the course which is profitable for their organization. The courses are... Read More

Review Date: 8/6/2014

Attended: Academy of Art University

Overall Rating: 1.5/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

marie adams, Graduated 2009

Joseph Freeman, Graduated

Attended: Saint Leo University Online

I withdrew with a zero balance they charged me $116 threw on another 50 dollars in late fees then sent my file to the credit bureau without alerting me.

This practice is unfair and when I contacted them they lied and told me about phone numbers I didnt have when we spoke.(i.e. they told me they talked to me on the phone I was calling them on in July the phone wasnt turned on until October lol)when I alerted to this they said talk to the collection agency, they have no desire to help former students.... Read More

Review Date: 2/12/2013

Attended: Saint Leo University Online

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Joseph Freeman, Graduated

Annon, Graduated 2024

Attended: Brigham Young University - Idaho

The campus is very pretty. The professors are excellent and helpful, and I don't have a problem with the rules or honor code. That being said their lack of communication with students is appalling. They spam their student's emails with daily announcements. Some of the information is important, but most are things like dances, spiritual thoughts, and events on campus. Glitches and technical issues are RAMPANT. Situation 1: Recently, I had to drop a second block class. While I was trying to drop the... Read More

Review Date: 3/10/2023

Attended: Brigham Young University - Idaho

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Annon, Graduated 2024

Chena, Graduated 2022

Attended: The College of Health Care Professions Online

VETERANS LOOKING TO USE YOUR GI BILL BE CAREFUL! They didn’t tell me I had 30 days from my registration date to give them a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA (the print ready version on EBenefits wasn’t good enough on top of that the one I provided they “lost”) so they tried to tell me I had to pay for everything out of pocket. The financial aid office never answered the phone when I called and I wasn’t notified of this “30-day thing until a few days before the deadline. I had just finished... Read More

Review Date: 7/18/2021

Attended: The College of Health Care Professions Online

Overall Rating: 1/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Chena, Graduated 2022

Mayra Duran, Graduated 2017

Attended: Napa Valley College

Honestly, it took me a long time to get where I am now. I am a first generation graduate, and it was all done possible by having a near by JC. I'm still in disbelief on how far I made it. Growing up in a low income family, you know how stressful it is to get an education. It always comes down to picking between work or school. I'm glad I was able to do both, even though it took me a little longer. The JC was there for me and gave me a schedule I could work with. While still being able to help my... Read More

Review Date: 4/10/2017

Attended: Napa Valley College

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Mayra Duran, Graduated 2017

Jessica, Graduated 2015

Attended: Cuyahoga Community College District

I think that in Cuyahoga Community Colleges have influenced a great deal of people. I attended Tri-C as a PSEOP student and it was the best decision I ever made in high school. I was treated like a child and I was challenged. Most of the instructors I had I really felt like they cared about how well I did on tests and things of that nature.

Review Date: 4/9/2015

Attended: Cuyahoga Community College District

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Jessica, Graduated 2015

Vwright, Graduated 2009

Attended: Crowder College

I don't feel like the associates degree gave me a pay raise or increased my ability to make more income. I plan on going back to get my bachelor in the fall. Crowder was a great starter college. I would suggest going there for the first two year because it is cheaper but i would suggest to keep going. don't stop there. Nowadays, you need more than an associate degree to get anywhere in live.

Review Date: 2/26/2017

Attended: Crowder College

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Vwright, Graduated 2009

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

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