Best North Dakota Online Colleges Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Consider Your Future Goals

If you plan to attend an online college in North Dakota, ask yourself now what you hope to get out of the program and where you see yourself headed. Recognizing even some of your goals at this stage can help you make strategic choices you’ll be grateful for later.

For example, if you expect to attend grad school after you earn your bachelor’s, it can be helpful to learn what resources your online program offers in addition to coursework and classroom hours.

Find out whether the program makes instructors available through office hours and if you’ll be assigned an academic advisor. Academic advisors and other kinds of mentors, whether formal or informal, can help prepare you for graduate study.

If you expect to join the workforce right after graduating, relevant hands-on experience provides an advantage that helps you break into your desired field. Ask if your program assists students with finding internships or other practical experience opportunities.

Similarly, if your profession requires certification or licensure, find out whether your online degree program meets the necessary qualifications. You may need to attend an accredited program.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

For the 2022–23 school year, four-year bachelor’s programs cost an average of $17,709 in tuition and fees for in-state students, the National Center for Education Statistics reports.

Average total tuition for the online colleges in North Dakota featured on this page costs approximately $13,224. That number represents real savings over the national average, but it’s still a significant sum—which is why you should investigate all possible sources of financial aid.

Start by submitting the FAFSA®. This determines your eligibility for federal financial aid programs like direct PLUS loans, direct unsubsidized loans and federal work-study.

Then, visit the financial aid section on the school’s website for a preliminary sense of available scholarships and grants. After that, speak to someone in the financial aid office for more detailed information on institutional support and eligibility requirements.