Northern State University
PublicAberdeen, SD
Located in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public small school with roughly 1,273 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 93% of applicants get in. Biological and Biomedical Sciences graduates, especially in Biology, General, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $70,545/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $3,102 more per year in tuition and fees (1.4x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
Northern State University takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the Pacific territories pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. Each school sets its own requirements, often a GPA minimum, and some majors are left out.
Where do you stand against Northern State University's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Northern State University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern State University's acceptance rate?
Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD admits approximately 93% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Northern State University?
Admitted students at Northern State University typically score between 980–1160 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Northern State University?
Admitted students at Northern State University typically score between 18–24 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Northern State University cost?
Northern State University's total cost of attendance is reported at $22,077 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does Northern State University offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- Northern State University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at Northern State University?
For 2024-25, Northern State University's published tuition and required fees were $11,947 for out-of-state students and $8,845 for in-state students -- $3,102 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
Does Northern State University require students to live on campus?
No -- Northern State University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
Similar colleges in SD
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · 96% admit rate
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · 88% admit rate
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · 98% admit rate
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · 99% admit rate
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD · 83% admit rate
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · 80% admit rate
Comparing Northern State University against another school?
Open the comparison view