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Northern State University

Northern State University

Aberdeen, SD · Town · 1,273 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,812
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
51%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
50% typical
$47,618
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$48,772 typical
93%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is a student-centered regional institution renowned for its historic legacy in teacher preparation through the Millicent Atkins School of Education, as well as strong programs in business, music, and the natural sciences. Campus culture is tight-knit and active, driven by community-wide enthusiasm for "Wolves" athletics in NCAA Division II competition and robust participation in the visual and performing arts. Setting Northern apart is its exceptional affordability paired with major recent campus enhancements, including the state-of-the-art Regional Sports Complex and modern learning facilities that offer students big-university amenities in a close, personal setting.

Wikipedia:Northern State University (NSU) is a public university in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States. NSU is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and offers 45 bachelor's degrees, 53 minors, six associate degrees, 16 pre-professional programs, 23 certificates and 10 graduate degrees.

Location
Aberdeen, SD, 57401-7198 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
259 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,845$11,947
Housing & food (on campus)$10,600$10,600
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$22,077$23,653
Average net price$15,812Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$11,947
In-state: $8,845
Housing & food (on campus)$10,600
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$23,653
In-state: $22,077
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,812
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: northern.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Northern State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$12,379
Housing$6,300
Food$4,974
Books & supplies$775
Personal expenses$2,300
Transportation$1,800
Total published by the school$23,653
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$10,762
$30–48k
$12,087
$48–75k
$15,293
$75–110k
$18,372
$110k+
$17,933
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
51%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
35%
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
24%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
51% graduated · 26% transferred · 23% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$41,536
10 yrs after entry$47,618
Debt
Median at graduation$22,320
Monthly payment$237
Middle 50% owe$6.6k–$27k
90th percentile$36,375
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (small programs): 50% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
93%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1089
R 490–590 · M 490–570
ACT midpoint
21
Comp 18–24 · E 16–23 · M 17–25
SAT middle 50%: 980–1160
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Northern State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
12%
First-gen
31%
Family income
$52,170
Independent
20%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
18%
Race & ethnicity
White
79%
Hispanic
6%
Black
3%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
2%
AI/AN
3%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$41,536
After 10 yrs
$47,618
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods35
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness30
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas28
Business Administration, Management and Operations26
Accounting and Related Services20
Biology, General18
Criminal Justice and Corrections15
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities14
Psychology, General14
Sociology13
Special Education and Teaching12
History11
English Language and Literature, General8
Finance and Financial Management Services7
Marketing7
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$56M
Full-time faculty
95%
Faculty salary
$8,949/mo
Teaching spend
$9,584
per student
Federal loans
22%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (small programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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