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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 educational institution operates on 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. To find out more about what Northern State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
3,169
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
49%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Here are the most important data you have to know about admission 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 considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides 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 enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 71% between 1,000 and 1,199 and 14% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen 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
The deadline for submitting applications to Northern State University is September 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Northern State University was 77%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 49%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best match for you is not a simple task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution 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 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 29 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 91.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 526 male and 661 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 30 full-time graduate male and 29 full-time graduate female students at 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. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Northern State University.
This school had 25 Asian students and 44 Afro-American students in 2025. 70 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 59 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who declared 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
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important information on Northern State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,615.5. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $10,717.5. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $10,717.5, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had 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
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Northern State University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Northern State University amounted to $10,600 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $6,000, according to the data from 2025. 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
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish 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. Students of this school received an average of $12,956 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 510 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 534. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $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
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. 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.
68 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school 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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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 or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Northern State University was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 129 members, according to the most recent data reported. 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
It is not all about learning and grades at Northern State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some information about social life at Northern State University.
Its campus spans 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.
Those who like music can join the Northern State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Northern State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Northern State University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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
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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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According to the latest information, 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.
