UND Online Programs Boost North Dakota Workforce, Attract New Residents

The University of North Dakota’s expanding online programs are not only providing flexible educational opportunities but are also playing a key role in retaining North Dakotans and attracting new professionals to the state, addressing critical workforce needs.

Maggie Brockling’s story exemplifies this trend: after completing UND’s online Master of Public Administration program while living in Massachusetts, she relocated to North Dakota and now serves as the economic development director for East Grand Forks. “I would not have moved into this role, let alone this state, if I hadn’t had the networks I developed through my online coursework,” Brockling said. This highlights how UND’s online offerings are reversing “brain drain” and fostering economic growth.

Currently, 35% of UND’s total enrollment of 15,844 students take some online classes, with over 5,354 studying exclusively online. The University was recently ranked No. 7 by ZDNET among America’s top self-paced online colleges and was named the best online college in North Dakota by Forbes magazine. Approximately 63% of UND’s online graduates are residents of North Dakota or neighboring states, or employees of the North Dakota University System. UND’s Vice Provost for Strategic Programming, Analytics & Effectiveness, Jeff Holm, noted the importance of meeting students where they are, stating, “For more than 100 years, it’s been important for us to understand what our students are looking for — and how we can reduce those barriers.” The state faces challenges in growing its college-educated population, as detailed in the Lightcast 2025 Talent Attraction Scorecard, and UND’s programs are helping to bridge that gap.

Strategic partnerships, such as those with companies like Digi-Key, are further expanding the impact of UND’s online programs. Initiatives like the Aspiring Principals Pipeline, funded by the state Department of Public Instruction, are also proving successful, with 100% program completion and 80% job placement rates for its inaugural cohort. As UND continues to invest in online education, officials say they expect to see continued positive impacts on the state’s workforce and economy.

University leaders say they will continue to adapt online programs to meet evolving workforce demands and support the state’s economic development goals.