Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota |
| Online | northern.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Northern State University occupies a 72-acre campus in Aberdeen, South Dakota, situated in the northeastern region of the state approximately 150 miles northeast of Pierre. The public university, established in 1901 as a normal school for teacher education, features a mix of historic and modern academic buildings set in a residential area. NSU maintains a focus on teacher education while offering undergraduate and graduate programs across business, arts and sciences, and fine arts, with education and business programs drawing the largest enrollment. The campus includes six residence halls for student housing, and the institution competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Wolves, primarily in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
NSU is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northern State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#871 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#335 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in South Dakota
#5 in Best Public Colleges in South Dakota
#14 in Best Value Colleges in South Dakota
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 800/1150 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.37 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $20 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Dakota Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,229 |
| Room and Board | $10,300 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $23,345 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,229 |
| Room and Board | $10,300 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,447 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 35% |
| Education | 20% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 6% |
| Biology | 4% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering NSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219259 IPEDS survey data for Northern State University.
Current students may use the Northern State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025