Northern State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,273 students.
About This School
Northern State University is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota with approximately 1,273 undergraduate students enrolled. Northern State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 93%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,812 per year. The graduation rate is 49%, and the typical graduate earns $37,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $17,094/year net price and only $15,750 in median debt at graduation, this is one of the more affordable public university options you'll find, and the broad catalog of 45 bachelor's degrees gives students real flexibility. However, the 52% graduation rate is a genuine concern — roughly half of students who start don't finish — and median earnings of $37,300 a decade out suggest modest financial returns, so students should think carefully about their specific program's job prospects before enrolling.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,273 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · Public
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD · Public
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · Public
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · Public
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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