
Mayville State University traces its origins to 1889, when North Dakota established a normal school in Mayville to prepare teachers. Teacher education remains an important part of the university's identity, although its academic offerings now extend to business, nursing, science, and other fields.
The institution later operated as Mayville State College before adopting its university name. That evolution matters to applicants: Mayville State is a public university within the North Dakota University System, rather than a teacher-training school limited to education majors.
Mayville State offers undergraduate study across education, business, nursing, the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Its program listings are more useful to applicants than the university label alone: students can explore fields such as elementary education, special education, business administration, biology, and nursing, as well as selected graduate-level education options.
Some programs serve students who already hold a credential. In particular, an RN-to-BSN pathway is different from an entry-level nursing program for someone who is not yet a registered nurse. Prospective students should check the catalog for their intended credential, delivery format, prerequisites, and any required fieldwork or clinical placements. Education applicants should also distinguish admission to the university from eligibility for a teacher-preparation program and eventual state licensure.
Mayville State's main campus is in Mayville, a small community in eastern North Dakota. Its setting is more rural than that of universities in Fargo or Grand Forks, a practical consideration for students weighing transportation, employment, and off-campus activities.
Students who expect to commute or travel for placements should plan around the distances involved. First-year students may register or park a car on campus. Grand Forks International Airport is a regional air-travel option, but reaching it requires ground transportation; applicants should not assume the university provides an airport shuttle.
Mayville State describes its educational purpose in terms of teaching, student learning, service, and scholarship. Its history as a teacher-preparation institution helps explain the continuing prominence of education programs, while its broader curriculum serves students pursuing other careers or further study.
These are the university's stated priorities, not a measure of any individual student's experience. A prospective student can assess how they translate into practice by examining the requirements of a particular major, access to advising, and opportunities for supervised work or research.
Name of the institution
Mayville State UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
Rural: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1889Mayville State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.