NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls

Northern State University and University of Sioux Falls side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northern State University
University of Sioux Falls

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Sioux Falls (82.9% admitted vs 93%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $15,990 vs $21,385 at University of Sioux Falls.
  • Graduation: NSU 42% vs University of Sioux Falls 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NSU $37,400 vs University of Sioux Falls $43,400 (median).
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Key differences

Northern State University University of Sioux Falls
Acceptance rate
University of Sioux Falls more selective
NSU93%
University of Sioux Falls82.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
NSU980-1160
University of Sioux Falls-
Average net price
NSU $5,395 less
NSU$15,990
University of Sioux Falls$21,385
In-state tuition
NSU $12,905 less
NSU$8,845
University of Sioux Falls$21,750
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $9,803 less
NSU$11,947
University of Sioux Falls$21,750
Graduation rate
University of Sioux Falls +17 pts
NSU42%
University of Sioux Falls59%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Sioux Falls +$6,000
NSU$37,400
University of Sioux Falls$43,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NSU 1,086
  • University of Sioux Falls 2,291
  • Admitted
  • NSU 1,010
  • University of Sioux Falls 1,899
  • Acceptance rate
  • NSU 93%
  • University of Sioux Falls 82.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NSU 35.2%
  • University of Sioux Falls 15.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NSU 1070
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • NSU 21
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • Average high school GPA
  • NSU 3.37
  • University of Sioux Falls 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • NSU B+
  • University of Sioux Falls A-
  • Admissions standards
  • NSU Very Easy
  • University of Sioux Falls Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • NSU
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • SAT range
  • NSU 980-1160
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • ACT range
  • NSU 18-24
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • Submit test scores
  • NSU Test optional
  • University of Sioux Falls Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NSU
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NSU $8,845
  • University of Sioux Falls $21,750
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NSU $11,947
  • University of Sioux Falls $21,750
  • Room & board
  • NSU $10,600
  • University of Sioux Falls $9,270
  • Average net price
  • NSU $15,990
  • University of Sioux Falls $21,385
  • Average grant aid
  • NSU $6,441
  • University of Sioux Falls $12,782
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NSU 97%
  • University of Sioux Falls 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • NSU 42%
  • University of Sioux Falls 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NSU $37,400
  • University of Sioux Falls $43,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • NSU 63%
  • University of Sioux Falls 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NSU $24,399
  • University of Sioux Falls $22,750
  • Median loan payment
  • NSU $252
  • University of Sioux Falls $235
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NSU 19:1
  • University of Sioux Falls 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • NSU
    • Business (35%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Biology (4%)
  • University of Sioux Falls
    • Business (34%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • NSU Aberdeen, SD
  • University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD
  • Setting
  • NSU Remote Town
  • University of Sioux Falls Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • NSU 3,708
  • University of Sioux Falls 1,450
  • Type
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • University of Sioux Falls Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NSU #921
  • University of Sioux Falls

Comparable Facts

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

Northern State University is larger than University of Sioux Falls based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 1,450 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of Sioux Falls is in Sioux Falls, SD (Midsize City setting).
  • Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Sioux Falls is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; University of Sioux Falls 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Sioux Falls are 12.5% lower than at Northern State University ($9,270 vs. $10,600).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at University of Sioux Falls than at Northern State University (about $9,803 more per year; $21,750 vs. $11,947).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Sioux Falls than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Sioux Falls students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,782 vs. $6,441).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NSU, test-free at University of Sioux Falls.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Sioux Falls average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at NSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 15.3% at University of Sioux Falls.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have a $1,649 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,750 vs. $24,399).
  • Among borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($235 vs. $252).
  • More University of Sioux Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (75% 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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