#3
NDSU ranked 3rd Best Value for International Students in the U.S.
(College Factual)
Top 100
NDSU is a top-ranked R-1, research institution. Our research expenditures exceed $150 million annually.
$12,000
Students with a 3.5 GPA or higher earn a $12,000 award over 4 years automatically upon admission
Virtual Campus Tour
Explore NDSU from anywhere and get a feel for what it’s like to be a Bison before you even arrive.
International
First-Year Student Admission Requirements
- Submit the online application and $35 application fee.
- A U.S.-equivalent GPA of 2.75 or higher. Secondary transcripts will be evaluated in-house.
- English proficiency (details, including possible waivers, are provided further down this page).
International Transfer Students Admission Requirements
- Submit the online application and $35 application fee.
- A U.S.-equivalent GPA of 2.00 or higher. An external credential evaluation by a NACES member is required for post-secondary transcripts outside the United States.
- English proficiency (details, including possible waivers, are provided further down this page).
Additional Resources
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We offer advising for prospective and enrolled international students, providing support with immigration requirements, employment, health and personal issues, and academic needs.
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With more than 300 student organizations at NDSU, you will have many ways to connect and gain leadership experience. Approximately 20 of these organizations have a cultural focus.
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The Center for Community and Belonging is central to our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming campus for everyone at NDSU.
Ready to Apply?
This information is for international students applying to NDSU as undergraduates.
If you’re looking to apply to a graduate program, please visit the Graduate School Application page.
1) Complete and Submit the Application for Admission
A nonrefundable application fee will be collected through your online application upon submission. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid.
2) Send Your Secondary Transcript
All first-year applicants must upload unofficial academic documents to the online application. Official documents will be required to be mailed to NDSU post-acceptance. More detail will be provided to the applicant after admission. If you have questions, please email us at ndsu.intl.admissions@ndsu.edu.
3) Submit Credential Evaluation for University Coursework
Non-U.S. institutions: Request a course-by-course evaluation report from World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or SpanTran. Click here for more information.
U.S. institutions: Request that official transcripts be sent directly to NDSU from your institution. We also accept the following versions of official transcripts from U.S. institutions sent from the following electronic delivery services: National Student Clearinghouse (send to Int’l Undergrad Admissions), Parchment, Credentials eScrip-Safe, SMART/Joint Service Transcript.
4) Submit English Proficiency Exam Results
All applicants must submit an official English proficiency test score or completion report that meets one of the posted levels (see chart below). All test scores are valid for two years, and score reports must be sent directly to NDSU. Applicants may also meet this requirement through one of the English Proficiency Exemptions below.
| English Proficiency Exam | Required Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 71 IBT |
| IELTS | 6.0 Overall |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 |
| Pearson's (PTE) Academic | 50 |
| ACT English subscore | 18 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 480 |
| ELS Language Center | Level 112 completion |
English Proficiency Exemptions
Applicants meeting any one of the following are not required to submit additional evidence of English proficiency:
Exemptions by Country
Applicants from the following countries are exempt from submitting English scores. Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, the Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Colleges in Exempt Countries
At least two (2) years of study, in good academic standing, at a post-secondary institution located in one of the "Exemptions by Country" listing.
U.S. High School or College
At least two (2) years of study, in good academic standing*, at a U.S. high school or regionally accredited U.S. college/university
English Composition Coursework
Applicants with less than two (2) years of college-level courses can be exempt if they have successfully completed both English Composition 1 and 2 with grades of ‘B’ or higher.
U.S. General Education Diploma
Applicant has earned a U.S. General Education Diploma (GED) administered in English
Dates and Deadlines
We have a rolling admission policy and evaluate documents as they are received. We encourage students to apply by the following dates.
The recommended deadline to apply for admission for Fall 2025 (August start) semester is May 15.
The recommended deadline to apply for admission for Spring 2026 (January start) semester is November 1.