Northern State University
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About Northern State University
School Type: Public
Religious Affiliation: Not applicable
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: No
Accreditation: regional
Northern State University is a small public university located on a rural campus in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,932, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 93%. The university offers 43 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 55%, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $7,616, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $10,718.
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate
Full-Time Student Retention Rate
Six-Year Graduation Rate of Full-Time, First-Time Students
Application Considerations
Test scoresNot required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankRequired to be considered for admission
Letter of recommendationNot required for admission, but considered if submitted
High school GPARequired to be considered for admission
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRequired
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Required to be considered for admission
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Yes
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile18-24
SAT 25th-75th Percentile800-1150
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
4k
Students enrolled
66%
Online student enrollment
17:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
28%
Unknown
0%
Black
1%
Hispanic
2%
Two or more races
1%
Non-U.S. Citizen
1%
Asian
1%
American Indian/Alaska Native
1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
28% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
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Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
31
Total Online Enrollment
2,316
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.66% online, 34% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
61% On-campus
39% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
Certificates23% online
Associate67% online
Bachelor's23% online
Graduate Certificate86% online
Master's73% online
DoctorateNot offered
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $7,616 | $10,718 |
| Graduate | $5,999 | $622 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $10,000 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,400 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | $10,300 |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | $2,400 |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | $2,400 |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $21,216 | $24,318 |
| Off-campus without family | $21,516 | $24,618 |
| Off-campus with family | $11,216 | $14,318 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
30%
State Grant Aid
14%
Institution Grant Aid
83%
Pell Grant
28%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$22k
Average student debtafter graduation
$33k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Wrestling
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Volleyball
Degrees Awarded by Program
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 2 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 3 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 4 | Education. | |||
| 5 | English Language And Literature/Letters. | |||
| 6 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 7 | Health Professions And Related Programs. | |||
| 8 | History. | |||
| 9 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. | |||
| 10 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. | |||
| 11 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 12 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology. | |||
| 13 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 14 | Psychology. | |||
| 15 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 16 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Peterson’s Data — typically from the most recently available cohort year. In the absence of this data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.