MSU vs. NSU

Minot State University and Northern State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Minot State University
Northern State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSU (64.6% admitted vs 93%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $13,092 vs $15,990 at NSU.
  • Graduation: MSU 34% vs NSU 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MSU $45,200 vs NSU $37,400 (median).
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Key differences

Minot State University Northern State University
Acceptance rate
MSU more selective
MSU64.6%
NSU93%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
MSU930-1140
NSU980-1160
Average net price
MSU $2,898 less
MSU$13,092
NSU$15,990
In-state tuition
MSU $143 less
MSU$8,702
NSU$8,845
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $3,245 less
MSU$8,702
NSU$11,947
Graduation rate
NSU +8 pts
MSU34%
NSU42%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU +$7,800
MSU$45,200
NSU$37,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MSU 701
  • NSU 1,086
  • Admitted
  • MSU 453
  • NSU 1,010
  • Acceptance rate
  • MSU 64.6%
  • NSU 93%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MSU 77.9%
  • NSU 35.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1040
  • NSU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 21
  • NSU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • MSU 3.42
  • NSU 3.37
  • Typical high school grades
  • MSU B+
  • NSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • MSU Very Easy
  • NSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • MSU Low
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • MSU 930-1140
  • NSU 980-1160
  • ACT range
  • MSU 18-24
  • NSU 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MSU Jun 30, 2027
  • NSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MSU $8,702
  • NSU $8,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MSU $8,702
  • NSU $11,947
  • Room & board
  • MSU $8,534
  • NSU $10,600
  • Average net price
  • MSU $13,092
  • NSU $15,990
  • Average grant aid
  • MSU $6,016
  • NSU $6,441
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MSU 90%
  • NSU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • MSU 34%
  • NSU 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MSU $45,200
  • NSU $37,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • MSU 74%
  • NSU 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MSU $18,725
  • NSU $24,399
  • Median loan payment
  • MSU $193
  • NSU $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MSU 11:1
  • NSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • MSU
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • NSU
    • Business (35%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Biology (4%)
  • Location
  • MSU Minot, ND
  • NSU Aberdeen, SD
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • NSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 2,751
  • NSU 3,708
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MSU #616
  • NSU #921

Comparable Facts

Compare Minot State University in Minot, ND with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 2,751 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Minot State University is located in Minot, ND (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • Minot State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Minot State University 11:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 19.5% lower than at Northern State University ($8,534 vs. $10,600).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at NSU than at Minot State University (about $3,245 more per year; $11,947 vs. $8,702).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Minot State University (97% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Minot State University students ($6,441 vs. $6,016).

Admissions details

  • Incoming MSU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both MSU and NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSU Jun 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MSU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at NSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.9% at MSU vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minot State University graduates have a $5,674 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($18,725 vs. $24,399).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($193 vs. $252).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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