Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in North Dakota 2025

For many students, learning online is much more ideal than learning in person. Online learning gives you flexibility so that you don't have to put aside your other obligations, and it also doesn't require you to commute to campus or move to be closer to school.

While online learning can solve many concerns for busy students, cost is also a concern. The good news is that many schools offer affordable bachelor's degrees online. Keep reading to learn more about affordable online bachelor's degree programs in North Dakota.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in North Dakota?

Most online bachelor's degrees in North Dakota cost between $200 and $500 per credit hour. The cheapest online bachelor's degrees tend to come from public universities, but there are affordable options at private schools as well.

There are many factors that can influence your tuition costs, including what school you choose, the program you're studying, and where you live. Additionally, the financial aid you qualify for can have a huge impact. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this determines eligibility for many types of financial aid. You can find a multitude of cheap online colleges that accept financial aid, including many on this list.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in North Dakota

Most of the colleges and universities that offer online bachelor's degrees in North Dakota are affordable. Below, we've highlighted the most affordable online bachelor's degree programs in the state.

1. Valley City State University

Valley City State University is a public institution in Valley City, ND. It offers about a dozen online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, education, information technology, and social science.

Tuition at VCSU breaks down like this:

• Residents of North Dakota: $220.62 per credit hour
• Residents of Minnesota: $247.10 per credit hour
• Residents of Montana, South Dakota, and states in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): $275.78 per credit hour
• Residents of states in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): $275.78 per credit hour
• Residents of all other states: $386.10 per credit hour

Average in-state tuition: $220.62 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $386.10 per credit hour

Financial aid: VCSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Dickinson State University

At Dickinson State University, students can choose from around 20 bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, education, and English.

DSU, a public university, is located in Dickinson, ND. It charges $249 per credit to all students, no matter what state they live in. Additionally, eligible residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota can get up to their full tuition costs covered through the schools' Blue Hawk Promise.

Average in-state tuition: $249 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $249 per credit hour

Financial aid: DSU offers institutional aid, like the Blue Hawk Promise. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

3. Mayville State University

Mayville State University offers several bachelor's degrees through online learning. MaSU is a public institution in Mayville, ND.

Online bachelor's degrees are available in fields like agribusiness, biology, education, and nursing. It charges $271.53 per credit to all undergraduate online students, with the exception of those in the nursing program, who pay $331.99 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $271.53 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $271.53 per credit hour

Financial aid: MaSU offers institutional aid and also accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

4. Minot State University

Over a dozen distance learning bachelor's degrees are available through Minot State University. Areas of study include computer science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and social work.

MiSU, located in Minot, ND, is a public university. It charges an undergraduate tuition rate of $298.65 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $298.65 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $298.65 per credit hour

Financial aid: MiSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Jamestown

The University of Jamestown is a private Christian school in Jamestown, ND. It offers bachelor's degrees through online education in fields like business, communication, information technology, and nursing.

Tuition for online undergraduate programs at UJ is $350 per credit hour. According to the university, 100% of full-time undergraduate online students receive financial aid.

Average in-state tuition: $350 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $350 per credit hour

Financial aid: UJ accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

6. North Dakota State University

Students at North Dakota State University can choose from several online bachelor's degrees. Areas of study include business administration, cybersecurity, engineering, and family sciences.

NDSU, a public research university, is located in Fargo, ND. Tuition depends on where you live:

• Residents of North Dakota: $383.08 per credit
• Residents of Minnesota: $429.05 per credit
• Residents of South Dakota and Montana: $459.70 per credit
• Residents of all other states: $574.62 per credit

NDSU also offers the NDSU Tuition Award Program, which covers full tuition costs for eligible North Dakota or Minnesota residents.

Average in-state tuition: $383.08 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $574.62 per credit hour

Financial aid: NDSU offers institutional aid, like the NDSU Tuition Award Program. It also accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers dozens of bachelor's degrees to online learners. UND is a public research institution in Grand Forks, ND.

Online bachelor's degrees at UND are available in fields like computer science, criminal justice, healthcare, and social work. Tuition ranges from $407.97 to $490.91 per credit based on which program you choose.

Average in-state tuition: $450 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $450 per credit hour

Financial aid: UND offers institutional aid and accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.

Accreditation: HLC

8. University of Mary

Multiple online bachelor's degrees are available through the University of Mary. Areas of study include bioethics, cybersecurity, education, and health sciences.

UMary, located in Bismarck, ND, is a private Catholic school. It charges a tuition rate of $495 per credit hour for online programs.

Average in-state tuition: $495 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $495 per credit hour

Financial aid: UMary accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

The great thing about learning online is that you can choose an online school from anywhere in the country without having to move. While there are only eight schools in North Dakota with affordable online bachelor's degrees, there are many more across the U.S. We've highlighted a few more affordable options below.

University of the People

University of the People is a private, nonprofit online school in Pasadena, CA. It offers three online bachelor's degrees in business administration, computer science, and health science.

The university is unique in that it does not charge tuition. Instead, it charges a course assessment fee of $140 per online course. While the university cannot accept FAFSA, it offers institutional aid, and is one of several online colleges with tuition payment plans.

Average in-state tuition: free

Average out-of-state tuition: free

Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Fayetteville State University

Through Fayetteville State University, students can find several bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include cybersecurity, criminal justice, nursing, and social sciences.

FSU, a public university, is located in Fayetteville, NC. It charged North Carolina residents $41.67 per credit, but tuition for out-of-state residents is still very low, at $104.17 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $41.67 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $104.17 per credit hour

Financial aid: FSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online colleges above, our methodology focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Affordability: Once we found which accredited North Dakota schools offer online programs, we looked at which also offer low-cost tuition.
• Program reputation and quality: Every school is accredited and public or private nonprofit, ensuring that they offer high-quality online programs.
• Online format: Each school offers at least three online bachelor's degrees.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in North Dakota

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online bachelor's degrees in North Dakota.

What Is the Average Cost of an Online Bachelor's Degree in North Dakota?

The average cost of an online bachelor's degree in North Dakota is roughly $340 per credit hour for in-state students. However, your cost will depend on which school you pick, and in some cases, what major you pick. It will also vary based on whether you reside in-state or out-of-state.

Additionally, the financial aid you qualify for plays a large role in your overall costs. By filling out the FAFSA, you'll be eligible for federal aid, like the Pell Grant. There are tons of online colleges that accept Pell Grant, including most listed above. You'll also determine your eligibility for state and institutional programs.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

There are a few ways you can significantly lower your tuition costs. One is to choose an affordable school and pair it with financial aid. This could potentially eliminate your tuition.

Another way is to find cheaper options for your general education credits. Some high schools allow students to complete college coursework while still earning their high school diploma through programs like Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

You can also start by earning an associate degree through a community college, as community colleges are often cheaper than four-year institutions. Once you've done that, look for online colleges that accept transfer credits or offer credit for prior learning. Most schools will accept some amount of credits from regionally accredited institutions.

Can I Get a Bachelor's Degree Online for Free?

While none of the institutions above inherently offer a completely free education, there are ways to reduce your costs so you pay nothing at all.

Dickinson State University and North Dakota State University both offer promise programs. To qualify, you'll need to fill out your FAFSA. Whatever your Pell Grant and other aid don't cover, these promise programs will fill in the gap.

In addition to federal, state, and institutional aid, many places offer scholarships for online students. With the right aid, you could potentially go to college for free.

Why Should You Earn an Online College Degree?

While online learning certainly isn't for everyone, there are a lot of students who benefit from the flexibility that online courses offer. Most online classes are asynchronous, meaning that while you have due dates, you can complete your work at whatever time works best for you. Some schools even offer programs that you can proceed through at your own pace.

This is ideal for students who work full time, for those who care for family like children or ailing relatives, or who can't travel far to learn on campus. Students still have the opportunity to pursue their career goals, but have the flexibility to learn on their own time.

Find Online Bachelor's Degree Programs

Start your journey toward reaching your career goals by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to request information about enrollment, start dates, financial aid, and more.