University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota is a public research university located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1883, it is the state’s oldest institution of higher education and part of the North Dakota University System. The university offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including degrees in arts and sciences, business, engineering, law, and medicine. It is known for its programs in aerospace, energy, and health sciences, as well as its research activity. Students are drawn to University of North Dakota for its comprehensive academic offerings, Midwestern campus environment, and opportunities for research, professional study, and community engagement.

University of North Dakota was founded on February 27, 1883, in Grand Forks, six years before North Dakota achieved statehood. Established to provide instruction in the arts and sciences and to train teachers, the institution began classes in 1884 under its first president, William M. Blackburn. As the state developed, University of North Dakota expanded its academic scope, opening a law school in 1899 and a medical school in 1905. The university awarded its first graduate degree in 1895 and its first doctorate in 1914, reflecting its growing research mission. Throughout the twentieth century, University of North Dakota broadened its programs and campus facilities while becoming part of the North Dakota University System. In recent decades, it has strengthened research initiatives and professional education, evolving into a comprehensive public research university serving students from across the region and beyond.