Minot State University
Minot State University is a public institution of higher education located in Minot, North Dakota, serving students primarily from the northwestern region of the state.[1][2] Founded in 1913 as Minot Normal School to train teachers, it expanded to grant baccalaureate degrees by 1924 and achieved full university status in 1987, now offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across fields including education, nursing, business, and sciences.[3][4] With a total enrollment of approximately 2,751 students and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, the university maintains a 102-acre campus and emphasizes personalized education and community engagement in a regional hub known as the "Magic City."[2][5][6] The university operates within the North Dakota University System and competes athletically in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, fielding teams in sports such as basketball, football, and track.[1][7] Notable alumni include actor Josh Duhamel and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General David C. Jones, reflecting contributions to entertainment and military leadership.[8] In recent years, Minot State has faced administrative challenges in its athletics department, including investigations into former leadership for allegations of inappropriate conduct, leading to the elimination of the athletic director position in 2024 to streamline oversight.[9][10]History
Founding and early development (1913–1940s)
Minot Normal School was established by the North Dakota State Legislature on June 3, 1913, as a two-year postsecondary institution focused on training teachers for rural schools in northwestern North Dakota.[3] Classes commenced in September 1913 in temporary facilities with an initial enrollment of 144 students and five faculty members, culminating in the first graduating class of 20 students in 1914.[3] The school's founding addressed the regional demand for qualified educators amid Minot's rapid growth as a commercial hub in the early 20th century.[6] In 1917, the institution relocated to its permanent campus site after completion of the James Memorial Library, its inaugural building.[6] By 1924, legislative authorization enabled expansion to four-year baccalaureate programs, prompting a name change to Minot State Teachers College and diversification into liberal arts alongside core teacher preparation.[4] Enrollment climbed to approximately 500 students by 1926, necessitating infrastructure growth including a dedicated library in 1924 and a gymnasium in 1929.[3] The 1930s saw further curricular development in sciences, humanities, fine arts, and social sciences, with enrollment exceeding 1,000 by decade's end despite economic challenges of the Great Depression.[6] Facilities expanded with the construction of Dakota Hall, a women's dormitory, in 1930–1931 under President A. J. McFarland.[11] Entering the 1940s, World War II induced enrollment declines from military enlistments, yet the college sustained operations through U.S. Navy V-5 and V-12 officer training programs implemented at select institutions to bolster wartime personnel needs.[12]Post-war expansion and name changes (1940s–1987)
Following World War II, Minot State Teachers College underwent substantial expansion fueled by the influx of veterans under the GI Bill and the subsequent baby boom cohort. Enrollment, which had dipped to 156 students in 1947, rapidly increased to exceed 1,200 by the 1960s, reflecting broader access to higher education in North Dakota's regional institutions.[6] This growth prompted infrastructure developments, including the construction of new dormitories and academic buildings throughout the 1950s to accommodate the rising student population and diversify facilities beyond the original campus core.[6] Academic programs also broadened during this era, shifting from a primary focus on teacher training to include expanded undergraduate offerings and initial graduate education. In 1964, coinciding with the completion of the Student Union building, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved a name change to Minot State College, signifying the institution's evolved mission to encompass master's-level programs and reduce its teachers college designation.[4][6] The change marked the 50th anniversary of the college's prior milestone celebrations and aligned with state-level recognitions of its programmatic maturation.[11] The 1970s saw continued physical and curricular growth, with additional residence halls and academic structures erected to support sustained enrollment and interdisciplinary studies. By the mid-1980s, these cumulative advancements— including enhanced graduate degrees and research capacities—positioned the college for elevation. On July 1, 1987, the State Board of Higher Education redesignated it Minot State University, affirming its comprehensive status amid North Dakota's higher education landscape.[6][4]Modern growth and adaptations (1987–present)
In 1987, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education granted the institution full university status, changing its name from Minot State College to Minot State University, which enabled expanded graduate offerings and reflected its evolution beyond teacher training.[6] Enrollment stood at approximately 3,300 students that year, supported by growing demand for professional programs amid regional economic shifts tied to the Minot Air Force Base and agriculture.[6] During the 1990s and 2000s, the university introduced new undergraduate majors and graduate programs in fields such as criminal justice, education, and communication sciences, positioning itself to address workforce needs in North Dakota's northern region.[6] [4] Enrollment peaked above 3,600 in the mid-2000s, driven by state investments in higher education, though it later declined amid broader demographic trends and competing opportunities.[6] The Bakken oil boom around 2010 exacerbated this dip, as high-wage energy jobs reduced college enrollment rates across North Dakota's public universities by drawing potential students directly into the workforce rather than delaying entry for degrees.[13] Facility expansions and renovations marked infrastructural growth, including the 1996 remodeling of Memorial Hall to house academic departments and the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, alongside additions like the Aleshire Theater and Gordon B. Olson Library expansion in the 2000s.[6] [14] More recently, the university adapted to technological and enrollment pressures through a 2023 academic restructuring that reorganized colleges into specialized schools and departments, such as the Division of Art and Professional Communication and Teacher Licensure Programs, to streamline offerings and enhance program relevance.[15] Major renovations included the $25 million overhaul of Hartnett Hall, completed in 2024 with new labs, classrooms, and improved ventilation, and the 2018 update to the Northwest Arts Center.[16] [17] Total enrollment fell to 2,741 by 2023–2024, prompting emphases on online delivery, cybersecurity and nursing facilities, and retention strategies to counter declining state demographics.[18] [19]Academics
Organizational structure and colleges
Minot State University operates under a hierarchical academic structure overseen by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who reports to the university president and manages instructional programs, support services, and research initiatives.[20] As of December 2023, the university restructured its academic units from three colleges to four specialized schools to enhance focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and program alignment with regional workforce needs.[15] This change consolidated departments previously under the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and College of Education and Health Sciences into the new school framework, while maintaining administrative efficiency under the Graduate School for advanced degrees.[20] The School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences encompasses creative and interpretive disciplines, including the Department of Fine and Performing Arts (covering art, music, and theater) and the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies (encompassing English, history, psychology, sociology, and criminal justice).[15] This school supports bachelor's programs in areas like communication and social work, emphasizing liberal arts foundations.[21] The School of Business, Math, and Technology focuses on applied quantitative and managerial fields, with the Department of Business handling accounting, finance, management, and marketing, and the Department of Math, Data, and Technology overseeing mathematics, computer science, and information systems.[15] It delivers programs tailored to North Dakota's energy and agriculture sectors, including cybersecurity and data analytics tracks.[22] The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences addresses human development and instructional preparation, comprising the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Criminal Justice (addiction studies and sociology applications) and the Department of Education and Inclusive Services (teacher education, special education, and kinesiology).[15] It integrates Teacher Licensure Programs, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, serving over 200 education majors annually.[20][23] The School of Science and Health targets health professions and natural sciences, including the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Department of Nursing (offering BSN and MSN tracks), and Department of Science (biology, chemistry, and exercise science).[15] This school supports clinical partnerships, such as with local hospitals for nursing practicums, and maintains separate Teacher Licensure oversight for science education.[20] Support units under the Vice President include the Academic Support Center for tutoring, the Gordon B. Olson Library for resources, and the Graduate School coordinating nine master's programs and one specialist degree across schools.[20] Institutional assessment, registrar functions, and sponsored programs ensure compliance and funding, with the structure promoting a student-faculty ratio of 11:1.[24][25]Degree programs and enrollment trends
Minot State University offers certificate, associate, bachelor's, post-bachelor's certificate, master's, and post-master's certificate programs, with over 60 undergraduate majors and pre-professional tracks spanning disciplines including education, business, health professions, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and technology.[26][27] Notable undergraduate offerings include nursing (BSN), accounting (AAS and BS), addiction studies (BS), criminal justice (BS), computer science (BS), and social work (BSW), alongside specialized programs in areas like aviation, deaf studies, and driver and traffic safety education.[26][28] Graduate programs focus on professional advancement, including the Master of Education (MEd), Master of Science in Management (MSM), Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS), Master of Science in Professional Studies (MS), and Education Specialist in School Psychology (EdS).[29] The university emphasizes online and accelerated delivery modes for many programs, particularly in business, education, and health management, to accommodate non-traditional students.[26] Among the most popular undergraduate majors are nursing (65 graduates in recent data), social work and youth services (51 graduates), general business (45 graduates), and special education and teaching (36 graduates).[30] The university confers approximately 639 degrees annually across all levels, with bachelor's degrees comprising the majority, including 217 Bachelor of Science (BS), 77 Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), and 57 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the latest reported year.[31][3] Total enrollment at Minot State University stood at 2,751 students in fall 2024, comprising 2,499 undergraduates (1,696 full-time and 803 part-time) and 252 graduates (129 full-time and 123 part-time), with a full-time equivalent of 2,125.[32] Undergraduates were distributed as 856 freshmen, 490 sophomores, 448 juniors, and 705 seniors.[32] In-state students from North Dakota dominated at 1,836, reflecting the regional focus.[32] Enrollment has trended downward modestly over the past decade, averaging 3,063 students but falling to 2,741 in the 2023-2024 academic year and stabilizing near 2,800 in fall 2020 (2,920) and fall 2021 (2,836).[3][33] However, fall 2025 preliminary first-day figures showed 2,627 students overall, driven by a 15% rise in new freshmen to 415—the largest such class in 14 years—along with gains in transfers (4% increase) and new graduates.[34] This uptick follows targeted recruitment amid broader regional higher education challenges, though official fall 2025 counts remain subject to adjustment.[34]| Fall Year | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,920 |
| 2021 | 2,836 |
| 2023-2024 | 2,741 |
| 2024 | 2,751 |
Rankings and academic reputation
Minot State University is ranked #112 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the 2026 edition.[2] It also places #40 (tie) among Top Public Schools in the same category, reflecting its status as a state-funded institution emphasizing accessibility and affordability within the region.[2] Additional U.S. News rankings include #427 (tie) in Nursing and #159 (tie) in Top Performers on Social Mobility, highlighting strengths in specific professional programs and support for underrepresented students.[35]| Category | Ranking (U.S. News 2026) |
|---|---|
| Regional Universities Midwest | #112 (tie) |
| Top Public Schools | #40 (tie) |
| Nursing | #427 (tie) |
| Top Performers on Social Mobility | #159 (tie) |