911³Ô¹ÏÍø

4 minute read

Two-Year College in North Dakota

Bismark State College: Offering Unique Energy Education Degrees and Many Online Courses



No matter what a student’s higher education goals might be, they’re bound to find the answers in a North Dakota two-year college. Whether the aim is to attend a prestigious four-year university or to jump right into the workforce as a highly technically competent employee, both avenues of study are available in abundance throughout the state in the North Dakota 911³Ô¹ÏÍø System. That’s because the system features such schools as Bismark State College, which offers a number of unique energy education paths of study, and Dakota College at Bottineau, which offers highly vocationally-oriented Applied Science degrees. When you consider that North Dakota is surrounded by natural beauty and wonder, the state starts to feel like it has the winning combination.



Bismark State College is the third largest college in the North Dakota 911³Ô¹ÏÍø System, with a student body of around 3,500 students. It is considered to be a comprehensive community college because it offers two-year and four-year degrees, with most fields of study at the college having a two-year path. It even offers several graduate programs in conjunction with other university system institutions. It is one of the state’s leaders in online learning, with more than 150 courses offered in an online capacity. The school focuses on technical programs, transfer courses, online classes and programs, corporate and continuing education and workforce training. Degrees in energy education, including process plant technology, ethanol training, nuclear power technology, and electric power technology are unique offerings of the college. There are three residence halls offered to its students that consist of a co-ed, female-only and male-only building, and students can participate in a variety of student activities with help from the Student and Resident Life Office.

Although having undergone several name changes and previously being a branch of the 911³Ô¹ÏÍø of North Dakota, the school located in Devils Lake known as Lake Region State College is now a part of the North Dakota 911³Ô¹ÏÍø System. It prides itself in its ability to accommodate most peoples’ family and work obligations through its flexible schedule. It features new programs of study in nursing, American sign language and interpretive studies, and it has a unique program in simulator maintenance. Around 50% of the students attend this college with the goal of transferring to a school with a bachelor’s degree program. Lake Region State College features the One Price Advantage program, where tuition costs the same for students that are from North Dakota and students that are from out-of-state. It behooves a student to pile on the credits and perform well as credits beyond 12 are tuition free.

Dakota College at Bottineau: An Older College Featuring Vocationally-Oriented Applied Science Degrees

Originally founded as a School of Forestry back in 1906, it is one of the oldest Colleges in North Dakota. Although its Forestry and Natural Resources programs are among the best in the upper Midwest, it has since then branched out to be a college that offers a variety of degrees in such fields as health care, web design, information technology, and liberal arts. Its Associate of Applied Science degrees are highly vocationally-oriented and are designed to give the recipient excellent employment prospects in their chosen field. These degrees are offered in Business, Computer Technology/Information Technology, Natural Resources, Medical/Allied Health, and Education. Its two-year Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees have a large general education requirement, and are thus highly transferable to bachelor degree programs at four-year colleges and universities. It also boasts one of the most robust online and distance learning programs in the North Dakota.

Located in Wahpeton, North Dakota State College of Science is part of the North Dakota 911³Ô¹ÏÍø System and offers introductory studies in general education, science and technology. Its offerings can be divided into the Arts, Science and Business Division, and the Technology and Services Division. The former focuses on offering liberal arts and general education for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The latter, on the other hand, is not intended for transfer, but instead it focuses on providing students with technical and trade competencies. Its College Outreach Division makes courses available for workforce training that cannot be met in traditional ways. The school gives students the opportunity to participate in student government, clubs, music, drama, athletics, occupational organizations, and social events.

Located in the city of Williston, Williston State College is part of the North Dakota 911³Ô¹ÏÍø System. It has maintained a close connection with the 911³Ô¹ÏÍø of North Dakota throughout its history, most recently with its joint aviation program. It offers a wide array of two-year programs that will place students at the junior level when they transfer to most four-year colleges and universities. It believes that open communication, transparency, goal setting, measurement, and improvement create feedback that avoids duplication. The result is what they believe to be wise use of its available resources.

Additional topics

Best Colleges by State