Educational Attainment
About 31.6% of North Dakota adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 35.0%.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502ND).
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 31.6 | 35 |
- •North Dakota's high school graduation rate is about 83%.
- •UND and NDSU are the state's largest producers of bachelor's degree holders.
Schools
North Dakota's K-12 public school system serves a small, geographically dispersed student population across many rural districts.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 11.5 | 15.7 |
- •North Dakota has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country, at about 11.5.
- •Many rural districts consolidate schools to manage costs across sparse populations.
Universities
North Dakota is home to major public universities including the University of North Dakota (UND), North Dakota State University (NDSU), and Minot State University.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 31.6 | 35 |
- •UND runs the largest civilian flight school in the United States.
- •NDSU is a major research university with strong agricultural and engineering programs.
Graduation Rates
North Dakota's high school graduation rate of about 83% reflects a solid, if middle-of-the-pack, K-12 outcome nationally.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rate (%) | 83 | 87 |
- •North Dakota's low student-teacher ratio supports steady graduation outcomes.
- •Rural school consolidation has helped maintain graduation rates despite population decline in some counties.
Student Enrollment
North Dakota's K-12 and higher-education systems enroll students across a small but stable population base, with UND and NDSU as the largest postsecondary campuses.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Population under 18 (%) | 22.7 | 21.7 |
- •Fargo and Grand Forks anchor the state's largest school districts.
- •Enrollment growth has been strongest in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area.
Student-Teacher Ratios
North Dakota's student-teacher ratio of about 11.5 is well below the national average, giving students comparatively more individual attention.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 11.5 | 15.7 |
- •North Dakota's ratio of 11.5 students per teacher is among the lowest nationally.
- •Rural district sizes help keep class sizes small statewide.