NSU Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 93.00%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1060. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $8,845
- Out-of-State Tuition: $11,947
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at NSU:
- Total Enrollment: 3,708, including 1,636 online students
- 3,169 Undergraduate, 539 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 38.4% men, 61.6% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 49%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 8%. Few students transfer out, suggesting most students remain through graduation.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 77%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 84 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 34 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 11 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's.
NSU Overview
Northern State University (NSU) is a four-year, public school located in Aberdeen, SD. It is classified as Master's College and University with smaller programs by Carnegie Classification
The NSU's tuition & fees is $8,845 for South Dakota residents and $11,947 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 35% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $7,194.
The school has a total enrollment of 3,708 and the students to faculty ratio is 19 to 1 (5.26%).
NSU's acceptance rate is 93.00% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 35.25%. The median SAT score is 1060 and the ACT score is 21.
NSU ranked 5th in South Dakota Colleges rankings. Northern State University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Northern State University is $8,845 for in-state students and $11,947 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $6,736 for in-state students and $11,936 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $8,845 for South Dakota residents and $11,947 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $6,736 for South Dakota residents and $11,936 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,845 | $11,947 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,736 | $11,936 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,845 | $11,947 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,736 | $11,936 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Northern State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Special Learning Opportunities at NSU
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | No |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Northern State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing NSU