Trade Schools
If you’re passionate about physics and electricity and you enjoy troubleshooting things, an electrician career can be a good option for you.
Before being ready to work independently as an electrician you have to complete some specialized training and earn a license.
Programs that teach you the basics of this profession are available at trade schools and community colleges and some are designed for high school students who want to earn dual credit.
Apprenticeships that combine classroom education with hands-on on-the-job work are also available and allow trainees to earn a salary during the process.
It’s up to you to decide what type of program works best for you.
To help you in the process, on this page we have compiled information about the best electrician schools in North Dakota and the nearby region.
1Bismarck State College
About the School
Bismark State College provides a variety of programs and degrees.
Two and four-year degree options are available, as well as certificates and transfer programs.
Bismark State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition for 100 & 200-level technician classes is $208.89 per credit hour for residents of North Dakota and other selected states.
Courses Offered
The Bismarck State College catalog includes Electric Power Technology and Electrical Transmission Systems Technology programs, as well as an Energy Services & Renewable Technician pathway.
The Electric Power Technology program provides training on electric utility fundamentals with a focus on transmission and distribution.
Students have the following graduation options:
- Associate in Applied Science degree in Electric Power Technology
- Program Certificate in Electric Power Technology
- Electric Power Technology Courses- courses for professional development
After completing the core courses, students can choose to specialize in an area such as:
- Line Construction
- Metering
- Substation
- System Design
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Edwards Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58506
- Phone: 701.224.5400
- Website: https://bismarckstate.edu
2North Dakota State College of Science
About the School
North Dakota State College of Science offers academic programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog provides an architecture and construction path which includes programs in Electrical Construction, Electrical Master Technician, and Industrial Electrical, among many other topics.
The Electrical Construction program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
This program teaches skills in the area of commercial and industrial wiring systems, advanced code study, planning, and estimating.
The Electrical Master Technician program leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree with a third-year option.
This curriculum builds on the skills taught in the two-year program and adds topics on cutting-edge technology in medium and high voltage, instrumentation, fiber optics, structured wiring, and other building controls.
The Industrial Electrical A.A.S. program covers the area of automated industrial controls, large motors, and electronic drives that control motors.
These programs are designed to prepare students for employment in the electrical industry.
The school has six laboratories that contain AutoCAD, test equipment, electric motors, magnetic motor starters, programmable controllers, electronic devices, and residential wiring.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 6th Street N, Wahpeton, ND 58076
- Phone: 800-342-4325
- Website: https://www.ndscs.edu
3North Dakota State University
About the School
North Dakota State University provides undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
The full-time capped tuition rate for 13 or more credits for North Dakota residents is $4,654.50.
Scholarships are available for students who qualify.
The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Several areas of specialization are available, such as:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Communications and Signal Processing
- Computer Architecture and Very-Large-Scale Integration
- Cyber Physical and Embedded Systems
- Electromagnetics and Optics
- Power/Energy and Power Electronics
Students enrolled in the Electrical Engineering program take classes on topics such as:
- Introduction to ECE
- Circuit Analysis/Lab
- Basic Linear Algebra
- University Physics
- Electronics
- Intro to Computing
- Intro to Differential Equations
- Signals and Systems
- Energy Conservation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1411 Centennial Blvd, Fargo, ND 58102 (Physical Address)
- Phone: (701) 231-7019
- Website: https://www.ndsu.edu
4Lake Region State College
About the School
Lake Region State College prepares students for career opportunities in a variety of fields.
Online and on-campus programs are available.
Programs are designed for students who want to complete the first half of a bachelor’s degree and for those who want to enter the workforce in a variety of healthcare, trades, and technical areas.
Tuition for resident students is $177.06 per credit hour.
Lake Region State College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1973.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Wind Energy Technician program.
Students can earn a certificate in one year or an Associate in Applied Science degree in two years.
This program teaches skills such as:
- Safety in the workplace
- Fix and maintain wind turbines
- Hands-on experience working with actual turbines
- Work in high areas
- Work in confined spaces
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Networking
- Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- Electricity
- Introduction to Wind Turbines
- Wind Turbine Safety
- Wind Operations: Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- And more
In total, the Associate in Applied Science degree includes 60 credits.
The Certificate requires 33 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 College Drive N. Devils Lake, ND 58301
- Phone: (701) 662-1600
- Website: https://www.lrsc.edu
5AETech Electrical Training Center
About the School
AETech Electrical Training Center offers apprentice, journeyman, and master classes in South Dakota.
Courses Offered
The apprentice electrical classes available at the center are part of a full-time daytime program that allows students to spend the entire day studying the topics that will get them ready for employment in a rewarding career.
Students attend hands-on labs in Electrical Theory, Residential Wiring, Commercial Wiring, Conduit Bending, Motor Control, and many other topics.
The program awards a Completion Certificate per level.
CPR Certification, Construction Safety, and Health OSHA 10-hour training are also available.
Classes are limited to 12 students.
A five-day Electrical License exam prep course is also offered for journeymen and contractors and includes a two-day National Electrical Code Review pre-session class.
This class starts with a brush-up course on some installation requirements and recent Code changes.
The next three days of class consist of Exam Prep Calculations Workshop.
Contact Information
- Address: 320 East Blvd North, Rapid City, SD 57701
- Phone: 605-342-9088
- Website: https://aetech.com
6Mitchell Technical College
About the School
Located in South Dakota, Mitchell Tech offers 35 on-campus academic programs and four online programs.
Tuition is $124 per credit hour.
Additional costs, such as state facility fee, state M&R fee, department fee, and institutional fee bring the total per-credit cost to $228-$243.
Mitchell Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Courses Offered
The Mitchell Tech catalog includes an Electrical and Construction Maintenance program.
This program is designed to prepare students for careers as apprentice electricians, residential electricians, industrial estimators, and estimators.
This program combines theory and practical applications necessary for successful employment.
Students also take classes in topics such as fiber optics, data cabling, and programmable logic controls.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Electrical Drawing
- Basic Electrical Lab
- OSHA-10 Training
- Wiring Lab
- Introduction to Computers
- Commercial/Industrial Wiring Lab
- Motor Theory Maintenance
- Advanced Control Systems
- And more
In total, students need 75 credits to graduate.
Contact Information
- Address: 1800 East Spruce Street, Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
- Phone: 1.800.684.1969
- Website: https://www.mitchelltech.edu
7Minnesota State Community and Technical College
About the School
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State system.
The college has four campuses: Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena.
Classes are also offered online.
Programs and degrees are available in a variety of areas of study.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes Electrical Lineworker Technology and Electrical Technology, among many other pathways.
The Electrical Lineworker Technology program prepares students with the skills needed for employment in the electric power industry.
The college has a 90-acre training site adjacent to the Wadena campus where students can practice pole climbing, line construction, and bucket-truck operation.
Students who want to achieve an Associate in Applied Science take courses on electrical math, national electrical safety codes, construction of overhead, underground distribution systems, pole grounding, and a variety of other topics.
A diploma is also available and requires 36 credits.
The Electrical Technology program offers a 74-credit diploma available at the college’s Moorhead and Wadena campuses and teaches students how to build, install, maintain and repair electrical systems.
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 28th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
- Phone: 877-450-3322
- Website: https://www.minnesota.edu
8Dakotas JATC
About the School
Dakotas JATC provides training in telecommunications wiring, fiber optics, fire alarms, programmable logic control, power quality, safe job practices, the National Electrical Code, and many other topics.
The Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund serve North Dakota, Western Minnesota, and parts of South Dakota.
An apprenticeship that combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction is available.
Apprentice wages are based upon a percentage of the journeyperson’s hourly wage and they receive salary raises at six-month intervals.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and they need a valid driver’s license to qualify for admission.
A high school equivalency certificate or GED is also required.
Applicants must have completed one full year of high school algebra with a grade of “C” or higher or a full semester of post-high school algebra with a “C” grade or better.
Completing the electrical training ALLIANCE online Tech Math course is also an option.
Contact Information
- Address: 2901 1st Ave North, Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: 701-297-5934
- Website: http://www.dakotasjatc.org
9Northland Community & Technical College
About the School
Northland Community & Technical College provides academic programs in a wide range of fields of study.
Degree, diploma, and certificate programs are available for new students, transfer students, international students, as well as high school students who want to earn both college and high school credit.
The college has five campuses in Minnesota.
Some programs are also available online.
Tuition is $187.53 per credit.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Construction Electricity program.
This program is approved by the Minnesota State Board of Electricity to provide one year of credit toward students’ journeyman’s licenses.
After graduation students receive a diploma and know how to build, install, maintain, and repair electrical systems that provide heat, light, and power for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Electricity Construction Safety
- Intro to Electrical Circuit Theory
- Intro to Residential Wiring
- Electrical Services
- Electrical Blueprints
- National Electrical Code
- Electric Motor Control
- Commercial Wiring
- And more
In total, students need 74 credits for graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 2022 Central Avenue NE, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
- Phone: 218.793.2800
- Website: http://www.northlandcollege.edu
10Southeast Technical College
About the School
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 pathways that prepare students for employment in competitive fields.
The college provides two-year career-focused programs developed in collaboration with industry leaders.
The total cost is $255 per credit hour.
This includes tuition, state fees, and institute fees.
The additional course fee is $25 per credit hour for the Electrician program.
Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The Southeast Technical College catalog includes a variety of Associate Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, Apprenticeships, and no-degree course programs.
The Electrician program requires 69 credits for an Associate Degree and teaches students how to install, maintain, and repair lighting, control systems, and electrical power communications.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Blueprints and Schematics
- Electrical Construction
- Wiring Essentials
- National Electrical Code
- Building Automation
- Electrical & Industrial Safety
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 800-247-0789
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 340 | $63,650 | $30.6 | $96,810 | $37,810 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 780 | $60,470 | $29.07 | $80,310 | $37,120 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 340 | $69,120 | $33.23 | $104,340 | $45,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
North Dakota is home to many trade schools and community colleges that prepare students for careers in the electrical field.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your schedule, budget, and learning style.
