At a glance
Average net price
$15,812
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
48.9%
Admission rate
93%
Undergrad size
1,273
In-state tuition
$8,845
Out-of-state tuition
$11,947
Cost of attendance
$22,077
Median earnings (10y)
$47,618
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,089
- ACT midpoint
- 21
- Retention
- 77.0%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
13 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (31%), business (22%), stem (20%).
- STEM20%
- Health0%
- Business22%
- Humanities & arts17%
- Social sciences31%
- Trades & services10%
- Business21.8%~277 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Education21.4%~273 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Biological sciences19.3%~246 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts6.4%~82 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology6.4%~82 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~73 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~55 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- English3.9%~50 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~50 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences2.9%~36 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- History2.5%~32 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science1.1%~14 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~5 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
36 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 69 | $39,033 | $24,242 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master's | 54 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 54 | $39,862 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 52 | $38,996 | $27,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 50 | $32,526 | $24,500 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 44 | — | $25,300 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 40 | $45,902 | $29,816 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 39 | — | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 31 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor's | 30 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 26 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 24 | $33,892 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 22 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 21 | $38,740 | — |
| Biology, General. | Undergraduate certificate | 20 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 16 | — | — |
| Biotechnology. | Associate's | 15 | — | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics. | Master's | 12 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 11 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master's | 11 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 10 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate's | 10 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 8 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 7 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | Bachelor's | 6 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 6 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master's | 6 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 5 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a mid-sized institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 1,273 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Education, Biological sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Northern State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $15,812 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $8,845 for in-state students and $11,947 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $22,077 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 48.9%, a average completion outcome. 77.0% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $47,618 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Northern State University confers degrees and certificates across 13 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Education, Biological sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (31% of credentials), business (22% of credentials), stem (20% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Northern State University accepts 93% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,089. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 21.
Location & campus
Set in Aberdeen, South Dakota (town), Northern State University draws students from across South Dakota and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Northern State University
Q.How much does Northern State University cost?
The average net price at Northern State University is $15,812 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $22,077.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Northern State University?
Northern State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 48.9% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Northern State University?
Northern State University admits 93% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Northern State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Northern State University graduate earns $47,618 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Northern State University?
Published tuition is $8,845 in-state and $11,947 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Northern State University located?
Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota (ZIP 57401).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Northern State University at their official website.