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Northern State University

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 follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 92%. The freshman retention rate at Northern State University is 75% and the six-year graduation rate is 55%.

Here are some latest data on important things to consider about Northern State University.

Quick Facts

2,932

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

92%

Acceptance Rate

17:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

55%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Learn some essential data about admission at Northern State University.

According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,004 in 2024. Northern State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants 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

1% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 82% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 12.5% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 37.5% between 1,000 and 1,199 and 100% 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, 30 between 24-29, 48 in the range between 18-23, and 20 between 12-17.

The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.43. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Northern State University.

Average Test Scores

Retention Rate

The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.

The freshman retention rate for Northern State University was 75% in 2024, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.

The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 55%.

Student Body

Choosing a school that is the right match for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.

Main Student Body

The total number of students enrolled at Northern State University in 2024 was 3,521.

The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 29.27% for that year. There was a total of 2,932 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 26 international students. 97 students were accepted as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

The student body is coeducational, with 489 male and 614 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. There were 30 full-time graduate male and 29 full-time graduate female students at this school.

Student Population Diversity

Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.

In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 27, and the number of Black American students was 51. 64 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 45 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 30 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 5 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Northern State University estimated tuition costs.

Tuition fees for area resident were $7,615.5, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $10,717.5 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $10,717.5, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,228.5.

Tuition Fees Total
Out-of-State $10,718 $1,229 $11,946
In-State $7,616 $1,229 $8,844

Books and Supplies

When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated price 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 do schools typically charge for room and board?

In 2024, room and board cost at Northern State University amounted to $10,600 a year. If you only needed a dormitory room, you had to pay $6,000 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,000.

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 support can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid at Northern State University.

The most recent records show that 155 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $12,708.69.

Need-based

If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.

510 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 538. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $2,394,278, and state $135,647. The students of Northern State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $764,089, and external in the amount of $738,755.

$2,380

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.

Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 54 students overall (including freshmen) at Northern State University in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 26 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $2,394,278 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $72,939. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $848,225. 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 $412,956 USD.

Majors

Faculty

17:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Northern State University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 140 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 68 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

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100
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100

Campus Life

It is not all about learning and grades at Northern State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Northern State University.

It has a campus size of 72 acres.

Student Organizations

A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.

If you are interested in music, you can join the Northern State University band or chorus. In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Northern State University publishes its own newspaper.

Student Services

Northern State University has a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

FAQ

Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD.

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.

The most recent reported acceptance rate for Northern State University is 92%.

The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Northern State University is 75%.

Contact Information

Northern State University,

1200 S Jay Street

Aberdeen, SD

57401

605 626-3011

School Website

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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