Northern State University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Aberdeen, SD

$7,540

Avg in-state tuition

$10,611

Avg out-of-state tuition

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About Northern State University

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Northern State University is a small public university located on a rural campus in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,968, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The university offers 45 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 45%, and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $7,540, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $10,611.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

79% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

76% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

45% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Required

Letter of recommendation Considered (not required)

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*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 Percentile 19-25

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 990-1140

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of fewer than 5,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

3k

Students enrolled

68%

Online student enrollment

18:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

86%

Hispanic

3%

Two or more races

3%

Black

2%

Non-U.S. Citizen

2%

Asian

2%

American Indian/Alaska Native

2%

Unknown

1%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

62%

Socio-economic diversity

34% 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

14

Total Online Enrollment

2,349

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

78% On-campus

22% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates Check Bold 50% online

Associate Check Bold 40% online

Bachelor's Check Bold 16% online

Graduate Certificate X Bold Not offered

Master's Check Bold 38% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $7,540 $10,611
Graduate $5,939 $11,088

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,200
On-campus room and board $8,925
On-campus other expenses $4,200
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $8,925
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $4,200
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $4,200

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $21,865 $24,936
Off-campus without family $21,865 $24,936
Off-campus with family $12,940 $16,011

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

43%

State Grant Aid

19%

Institution Grant Aid

74%

Pell Grant

34%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $4,617
State Grant Aid $1,265
Institution Grant Aid $3,771
Pell Grant Aid $4,552

Financial Outlook

$22k

Average student debt after graduation

$33k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division II with football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • All Track Combined

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

2

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

3

Education

BA

MA

DOC

4

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

5

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

6

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

7

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

8

History

BA

MA

DOC

9

History

BA

MA

DOC

10

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services

BA

MA

DOC

11

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

12

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

13

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

14

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology

BA

MA

DOC

15

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

16

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

17

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

18

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2020-2021]. In the absence of IPED 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.