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Aberdeen , SD
Northern State University, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is a prestigious higher education institution renowned for its dedication to academic excellence and personalized learning experiences. Boasting a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1901, NSU offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse disciplines. With a commitment to student success, the university prides itself on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment, fostering the growth and development of each individual.
Academic programs at Northern State University cater to a range of interests and career goals. The university's colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Fine Arts offer an array of majors and minors, allowing students to pursue their passions and expand their knowledge in fields such as business, biology, education, music, and many more. NSU's faculty members, distinguished in their fields, prioritize hands-on learning experiences, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges in their respective professions.
Aside from its commitment to academic excellence, Northern State University also offers a vibrant campus life. From various student organizations and clubs to intramural sports and cultural events, students have ample opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities that complement their academic journey. The campus itself provides state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, well-equipped labs, and a recently renovated student center, creating a conducive environment for learning, collaboration, and personal growth. With a close-knit community, supportive faculty and staff, and a wealth of resources, Northern State University offers students a nurturing and enriching college experience.
Located in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 93%. The freshman retention rate at Northern State University is 77% and the six-year graduation rate is 49%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is September 1. Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Northern State University.
Quick Facts
3,169
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
49%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Here are the most vital facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Northern State University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,010 in 2025. Northern State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 2% and ACT scores 74%. 15% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 71% between 1,000 and 1,199 and 14% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 2, 27 between 24-29, 52 in the range between 18-23, 18 between 12-17, and 1 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.38. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Northern State University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by September 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Northern State University was 77%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 49%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 3,708 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 28% for that year. There was a total of 3,169 undergrad students, including 29 international students. 91 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 526 male and 661 female full-time students in 2025. 30 full-time graduate men and 29 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 25, and the number of Afro-American students was 44. 70 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 59 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 32 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Northern State University.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Northern State University? Here is what you need to know.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $7,615.5, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $10,717.5 for students coming from a different state. Tuition costs at Northern State University for international students were $10,717.5. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,228.5.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,718 | $1,229 | $11,946 |
| In-State | $7,616 | $1,229 | $8,844 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Northern State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $10,600. If you only wanted a dorm room, you had to pay $6,000 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,000.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,616 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,600 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,416 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for most students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Northern State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 187 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $12,956.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
510 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 534. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $2,559,668, and state $109,627. The students of Northern State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $784,775, and external in the amount of $750,526.
$2,612
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 68 students overall (including freshmen) at Northern State University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 36 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $2,559,668 while the state aid is $79,365. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $834,355. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $508,718 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Northern State University was 19:1: that means 19 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 129 faculty members. This number included 57 men and 72 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Northern State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Northern State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Northern State University.
Its campus is 72 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Students who like music can join the Northern State University band or chorus. For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. You have a talent for media and communication? Northern State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Northern State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Northern State University.
All in all, campus life at Northern State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Northern State University.
Career Counselling
At Northern State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Northern State University is 93%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Northern State University is 77%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.