University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Grand Forks, ND
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School Detail
APPLICATION FEE
$75
Tuition In State
$36,090
Tuition Out of State
$65,328
Average GPA
3.8
AVERAGE MCAT
508
School Overview
- Degrees
- MD
- Ownership
- Public Non-Profit
- Program Length
- 4 years
- Total Enrollment
- 78
- Founding Year
- 1905
- Accreditation Year
- 1942
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SDN Insights
Cost of Attendance: $300,154
Estimate repayment
Estimated loan burden for UNDSMHS using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.
Cost of Living: Below national average cost of living
Grand Forks, ND is about 0.87x the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment lowers the living allowance from $3,000 to about $2,610 per month. Local rent and commuting choices can still move your actual budget meaningfully.
Environment: Urban
With a combination of walkable pockets and strong biking infrastructure, the area near UNDSMHS offers decent flexibility. Students can often walk to essentials and comfortably bike to destinations a bit farther afield.
Interview Feedback
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 39% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
Secondary Essays for UNDSMHS
1. Motivation and Fit
The School of Medicine & Health Sciences is a community-based medical school, and because of the unique circumstances of our regional location, we place special emphasis on the unique skills needed...
2. Career Goals and Future Aspirations
Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout your life and how this has prepared you in your pursuit of a career in medicine.
3. Community, Diversity, and Equity
Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include volunteer experiences, study abroad, employment, or formal courses on diversity that include direct interaction with individuals...
4. Academic and Research Experiences
Describe your research activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, or capstone project.
5. Other
Describe your creative activity. Examples include ongoing production of art forms, artistic performance, or other creative efforts such as photography, painting, musical talents, needlework, cooking,...
About the School
The University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS), established in 1905, is the only medical school in North Dakota. It offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and admits 78 medical students annually. The school has trained approximately half of the physicians currently practicing in the state. Additionally, nearly 20% of American physicians identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native in the United States were trained at SMHS. The school also offers professional programs in physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical laboratory science, sports medicine, and public health.
Curriculum
The M.D. program at SMHS is structured to promote self-directed learning, problem-solving, and team-building skills. Students spend the first 20 months on the Grand Forks campus, focusing on basic sciences and clinical skills. The remainder of the second year through the fourth year is dedicated to clinical training at affiliated sites in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. The curriculum emphasizes rural medicine, primary care, and family medicine, reflecting the school's commitment to serving the healthcare needs of North Dakota's diverse communities.
Facilities
In 2016, SMHS opened a new 325,000-square-foot, four-story building on the northeast corner of the UND campus in Grand Forks. This state-of-the-art facility houses classrooms, small-group rooms, an auditorium, a simulation center, anatomy labs, and learning communities. The building also includes faculty, staff, and administrative offices, as well as research facilities. For the first time, all of the school's departments are under one roof, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.
Demographics
SMHS maintains four campuses across North Dakota: the main Northeast Campus in Grand Forks, the Northwest Campus in Minot, the Southeast Campus in Fargo, and the Southwest Campus in Bismarck. The school admits 78 medical students each year, including participants in the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) program, which has trained approximately 20% of all American Indian physicians in the U.S. The student body also includes individuals pursuing degrees in various health sciences programs, contributing to a diverse and interdisciplinary learning environment.
Last Updated: Oct 13, 2025