| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | North Dakota State Bison |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | North Central Conference |
| Short Conf: | NCC |
| Record: | 10–3 |
| Conf Record: | 7–0 |
| Head Coach: | Don Morton |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Def Coach: | Mike Daly |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Dacotah Field |
| Champion: | NCC champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division II Championship Game |
| Bowl Result: | L 13–42 vs. Southwest Texas State |
The 1981 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1981 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their third year under head coach Don Morton, the team compiled a 10–3 record, finished as NCC champion, and lost to Southwest Texas State in the NCAA Division II Championship Game.