IU East vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University East in Richmond, IN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than IU East based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University East is located in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University East 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

IU East vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU East or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University East than NSU ($8,718 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 3.4% lower than at Indiana University East ($10,600 vs. $10,972).
• Northern State University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $421 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.9% higher at IU East than at Northern State University (about $10,864 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Indiana University East (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University East students is 25.7% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,096 vs. $6,441).

IU East vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU East or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and IU East.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is the same as at NSU (1070).
• Incoming IU East students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 960/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 19/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU East - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU East students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at IU East vs. 35.2% at NSU.

IU East vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU East and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Northern State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $3,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($211 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.