Northern State University (NSU)
Public four-year university in Aberdeen, SD that costs an average of $15,279 a year after financial aid, admits 93% of applicants and graduates 52% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$15,279
Acceptance rate
93%
Graduation rate
52%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$51,006
PublicTown (remote)1,273 undergraduates
Cost of NSU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $22,410 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $9,824 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $12,057 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $10,922 |
| Books and supplies | $775 |
| Average net price after aid | $15,279 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $13,929 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $11,740 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $13,310 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $16,293 |
| $110,001+ | $17,316 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with NSU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 93% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,089 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 490–590 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 490–570 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 18–24 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 52% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 77% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $45,103 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $51,006 |
| Rank in South Dakota (earnings) | 9th of 11 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 14% |
| Students with federal loans | 21% |
Majors and programs at NSU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (33)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 30 | $53,026 | $18,026 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 53 | $50,455 | $22,900 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 21 | $47,672 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 68 | $45,766 | $20,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 42 | $37,257 | $15,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 3 | — | — |
| Biology | 40 | — | $20,496 |
| Chemistry | 3 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 5 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 6 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 31 | — | $20,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 10 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 3 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 8 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 16 | — | $22,418 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 22 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 8 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| History | 16 | — | — |
| International Business | 1 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18 | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | — | — | — |
| Marketing | 15 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 2 | — | — |
| Music | 6 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 18 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 8 | — | — |
| Psychology | 33 | — | $21,450 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 9 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Sociology | 21 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 46 | — | — |
Certificate programs (13)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 3 | — | — |
| Biology | 20 | — | — |
| Biotechnology | 2 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| History | 3 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 1 | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 2 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | 9 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 2 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 25 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (11)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music | — | $61,168 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 21 | $60,580 | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 63 | $49,342 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 23 | $42,261 | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 16 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 3 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 12 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 11 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 7 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 4 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 39 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 2 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | — | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in South Dakota
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | $21,417 | 83% | $59,404 |
| Black Hills State University | Spearfish | $19,252 | 96% | $49,283 |
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls | $23,283 | 68% | $61,271 |
| Dakota State University | Madison | $20,554 | 88% | $53,378 |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City | $20,827 | 80% | $78,487 |
| National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City | $31,654 | — | $38,663 |
| Mount Marty University | Yankton | $21,395 | 43% | $52,585 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell | $24,039 | 73% | $57,757 |
About NSU
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Aberdeen, SD |
| Setting | Town (remote) |
| Undergraduates | 1,273 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 19 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | northern.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is NSU's acceptance rate?
Northern State University admits 93% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,089 on the SAT.
How much does NSU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $22,410 a year (tuition and fees: $9,824 in-state, $12,057 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $15,279 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $13,929.
How much do NSU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $51,006 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 9th of 11 similar colleges in South Dakota. The best-paid bachelor's program is accounting and related services ($53,026 a year after graduation).
What is NSU's graduation rate?
52% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 77% of first-year students return for a second year.