About UND
The University of North Dakota has always been ahead of its time.
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, UND gave North Dakota its name when the former Dakota territories separated into two distinct states. Today, UND is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest in the North Dakota University System (NDUS).
- Location:
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Enrollment:
- 15,019
- Benefited Employees:
- 2,700+
- Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Carnegie Classification:
- R1 (very high research activity)
Facts About UND
We're leaders in engineering, medicine, aviation, space, unmanned aircraft systems, and more. We also serve the largest number of exclusively online students among all nonprofit, flagship universities in the eight-state region.
Fall '23 to '24 retention rate, record high among all NDUS institutions
Average class size
NCAA Division I athletics teams
Student clubs and organizations
Growing Enrollment
More students are flocking to UND. Defying national patterns of higher-education enrollment declines, we welcomed 25% more new freshmen — part of a 6% jump in overall student enrollment in fall 2024. They hail from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as from multiple military bases and six Canadian provinces. This marks UND’s strongest growth in 11 years.
Beautiful Campus
UND is one of the most beautiful colleges in the Midwest — and we keep making it better. We're also ranked the safest college in North Dakota.
Schedule a visit or take a look around campus using Street View on our Google Map.
Best Value University
Every accredited university offers education, but not every school prepares students to make an impact the way UND does. UND is increasingly regarded as one of the top institutions in the nation for educational quality, affordability and career outcomes. In fact, the National Science Foundation ranks UND #150.
Leaders in Action
UND develops future leaders who are responsive to our world’s changing needs. Our students get prepared through workforce ready programs such as InternGF and Accelerate to Industry (A2i).
Watch this video to see how UND students become Leaders in Action.
The Engine of Opportunity
UND is the only university in North Dakota with law and medical schools. We also have the top graduate school in North Dakota. We continue to lead in educating the region's doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists and business professionals. Our efforts provide $1.7 billion in overall economic impact to the state and region.
Research funding in 2023
Annual state-wide economic impact of UND research
All Belong at UND
We strive to ensure a sense of belonging for all members of our campus community.
Grand Forks, North Dakota is the land of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate people.
UND isn’t just a university, it’s a community.Jim Kleinsasser, UND Alum '99 and 13-year Minnesota Viking Speaking at UND Commencement, May 17, 2025
Mission
To provide exceptional educational experiences that enrich the lives of North Dakotans and the global community through excellence in teaching, innovative research, and meaningful engagement.
Vision
To inspire a sense of wonder, a love of discovery, and a commitment to serve.
A sense of wonder reflects our belief that critical thinking and dynamic educational experiences are rich soil for cultivating engaged citizens who will be lifelong learners. By fostering a love of discovery, we advance creativity, research, and innovation as ways to overcome our greatest challenges. And by affirming our commitment to serve, we aspire to help make our communities better. None of this would be possible without a deep commitment to our students, employees, alumni, and greater community. We express this commitment by ensuring the University of North Dakota is a place where everyone knows they belong: a place that embraces diverse peoples, perspectives, and ideas.
This plan will take a collective effort, one in which each of us leads as we are able. As leaders we’re defined by the characteristics we embody and the unique perspectives we share with the world. We all have the capacity to lead, as evidenced by our community’s civic engagement, sense of responsibility, willingness to try new ideas and adapt—and most important, our ability to listen to and value the perspectives of others and lead with integrity.