North Dakota Colleges & Universities: Career Training

Known for its sweeping vistas and dramatic weather, North Dakota also has a reputation as one of the friendliest, most down-to-earth states in the country. With a population of about 650,000, North Dakota is ranked among the highest in the U.S. in two categories: agricultural production and quality of life.

Fargo, the largest city in North Dakota, serves as the economic and financial hub for much of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Nearby West Fargo is the fastest-growing city in North Dakota. The capital of North Dakota, Bismarck, was recently ranked among the top 100 places to live by CNN Money magazine. Residents of Bismarck are employed largely by the state government, or by the first-rate medical facilities that serve the surrounding area.

The agricultural legacy of North Dakota dominates the state's culture and lifestyle. North Dakota leads the country in the production of several crops, including wheat, barley, soybeans, and sunflowers. In the western part of the state, the exploitation of large deposits of lignite coal and crude oil makes up a large sector of the economy. The mean annual income for citizens of North Dakota was $32,440 in 2006.

North Dakota is also home to numerous colleges and universities that provide quality degrees in fields related to North Dakota's economy, including agribusiness, agricultural research, and strong finance and accounting programs. Many students pursue educational certification in North Dakota in order to take advantage of the state's proximity to agricultural production, and for the high quality of life that North Dakota offers.

Sources:

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• North Dakota Department of Tourism
• Money Magazine