Children growing up in the Northern Mariana Islands have an opportunity to live and attend school with children of many nationalities. Based on the U.S. educational system, mandatory school age in the Marianas is from 6 to 16 years or from the first through the 12th grade. For children under 6 years old, there are head start programs and preschool opportunities. In addition to the Public School System, there is a choice of private schools to meet the diverse needs of an international community.

Accredited by the WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the Northern Marianas College offers certificate and associate degrees in a number of fields and bachelor degree programs in education and business. The college includes the Business Development Center (BDC), an FM public radio station, a Distance Education program, and a host of other programs and projects. The NMC Business Development Center (BDC) was established in 1993 to help local entrepreneurs establish and maintain small business enterprises.