NSU vs. A&M Commerce

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD with East Texas A&M University in Commerce, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Texas A&M University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,252 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); East Texas A&M University is in Commerce, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Texas A&M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; East Texas A&M University 17:1.

NSU vs. A&M Commerce Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or A&M Commerce? 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 East Texas A&M University than NSU ($12,327 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 0.3% lower than at East Texas A&M University ($10,600 vs. $10,634).
• East Texas A&M University is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,181 more per year; $10,026.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.9% higher at A&M Commerce than at Northern State University (about $10,379 more per year; $22,326.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at East Texas A&M University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Texas A&M University students is 76.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($11,342 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. A&M Commerce Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or A&M Commerce? 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 A&M Commerce and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at A&M Commerce (1030).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at A&M Commerce (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; East Texas A&M University 910/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; East Texas A&M University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; A&M Commerce - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: A&M Commerce Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at A&M Commerce (3.36).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than A&M Commerce (92.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 12.3% at A&M Commerce.

NSU vs. A&M Commerce Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and A&M Commerce? 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 East Texas A&M University's (37%).
• Graduates from East Texas A&M University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Texas A&M University graduates have a $3,885 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,514 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, A&M Commerce graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($212 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former A&M Commerce students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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.