Northern State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It enrolls 1,273 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
60/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes39
Value62
Affordability37
Selectivity19
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 93%, Northern State University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
93%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
980 – 1160
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
18 – 24
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Northern State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
8.3 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Northern State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,812 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,812
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
12%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
22%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$8,845
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$11,947
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,600
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,600
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,200
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,200
Total Cost of Attendance
$22,077
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,762
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,087
$48,001 – $75,000
$15,293
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,372
Over $110,000
$17,933
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,50010%percentile
$6,62125%percentile
$22,320Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$36,37590%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,516
↓ $5,804
No Pell $14,188
↓ $8,132
Dependent students $16,280
↓ $6,040
Independent students $13,289
↓ $9,031
Female students $16,938
↓ $5,382
Male students $13,293
↓ $9,027
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($22,320), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
33% of full-time students who enrolled at Northern State University graduate within six years, and 76% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
33%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
76%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Northern State University earn a median of $47,618 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$47,618
Earning > $25K
79%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$32,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$43,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$34,300
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$38,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$39,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $11,400, about 26% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 91% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Northern State University is home to 1,273 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 31% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,273
Part-Time
18%
First-Generation
31%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 78.7%1,002
Other 7.5%96
Hispanic 5.5%70
Black 3.5%44
International 2.3%29
Asian 2.0%25
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Northern State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteAberdeen, South Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential773 beds on campus
Adult Learners
7%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Northern State University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
43 distinct programs across
17 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northern State University is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$15,322
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$49M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$75,463
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
87 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
22
25%
$95,406
Associate Professors
17
20%
$82,400
Assistant Professors
32
37%
$65,117
Instructors
15
17%
$61,846
Lecturers
1
1%
$54,137
Pros & Cons of Northern State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Northern State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Tight-knit, close community feel
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Northern State University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Northern State University.
Is Northern State University hard to get into?
Northern State University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 93%.
What is the acceptance rate at Northern State University?
Northern State University has an acceptance rate of 93%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Northern State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Northern State University scored between 980 and 1160 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Northern State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Northern State University scored between 18 and 24 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Northern State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Northern State University is $15,812 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Northern State University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $47,618 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,812 per year. That's roughly 3.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Northern State University known for?
Northern State University is best known for its programs in Curriculum & Instruction, Teacher Education (K-12), Kinesiology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Northern State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Northern State University are $47,618, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Northern State University accredited?
Yes. Northern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Northern State University?
Northern State University enrolls 1,273 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Northern State University?
Northern State University graduates 33% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Northern State University a public or private college?
Northern State University is a Public institution.
Where is Northern State University located?
Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
What programs does Northern State University offer?
Northern State University offers 43 distinct programs. The most popular include Curriculum & Instruction, Teacher Education (K-12), Kinesiology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Northern State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northern State University is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in South Dakota
Other colleges in South Dakota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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