College enrollment in North Dakota has risen by more than 3 percent this year

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota’s colleges and universities are experiencing a six-year high in student enrollment this year.

The North Dakota University System said enrollment is at more than 45,000 students statewide, a 3.6 percent increase from 2023. It’s the highest number of students the state has had since 2018, and the third straight year of enrollment increases.

The uptick is also driven by a 10.1 percent increase in new undergrad students, with freshmen enrollment up 8.9 percent this year.

Eight of the state’s colleges reported enrollment increases this year, with Williston State College receiving the highest increase, at 16 percent. The schools reporting the second and third highest jump in enrollment, respectively, are Mayville State University (8.2 percent), and North Dakota State College of Science (7.2 percent).