NSU Rankings and Evaluation
South Dakota Colleges
#5 in South Dakota Colleges
Federal Region VIII
#8 in Federal Region VIII
Northern State University is ranked 5th in South Dakota Colleges and 8th in Federal Region VIII.
The following statements evaluate Northern State University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
- Its tuition & fees of $11,947 is comparable to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (93%) is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in).
- It has small number of students of 3,344.
- It offers relatively fewer area of study (80 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2024 undergraduate tuition & fees of NSU are $11,947 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University $11,947
All U.S. Colleges $17,692
Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895
4-Years Colleges $22,926
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,392
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The 2024 graduate tuition & fees of NSU are $11,936 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University $11,936
All U.S. Colleges $18,842
Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343
4-Years Colleges $18,848
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,870
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of NSU is 93% and it is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 93%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%
4-Years Colleges 68%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 83%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of NSU is 32% and the yield is lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 32%
All U.S. Colleges 37%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%
4-Years Colleges 35%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 38%
ACT Scores
The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at NSU is 21 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 21
All U.S. Colleges 68
Public, 4-Years Colleges 67
4-Years Colleges 68
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 68
Graduation Rate
The average graduation rate at NSU is 50% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 50%
All U.S. Colleges 56%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%
4-Years Colleges 51%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 42%
Transfer-out Rate
The average transfer-out rate at NSU is 25% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 25%
All U.S. Colleges 21%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%
4-Years Colleges 24%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 22%
Retention Rate
The average retention rate at NSU is 74% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 74%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%
4-Years Colleges 73%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 71%
Student Population
The total student population at NSU is 3,344 and its population small compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 3,344
All U.S. Colleges 2,931
Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396
4-Years Colleges 4,686
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 5,291
Financial Aid Amount
The average amount of financial aid received at NSU is $6,261 which is 52.41% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is much higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University $6,261
All U.S. Colleges $7,676
Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301
4-Years Colleges $12,161
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $4,715
Student to Faculty Ratio
The students to faculty ratio at NSU is 16 to 1 and the ratio is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 16 to 1
All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges 17 to 1
4-Years Colleges 14 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 16 to 1
Number of Programs
NSU offers 80 programs and it means relatively fewer area of study compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Northern State University 80
All U.S. Colleges 37
Public, 4-Years Colleges 108
4-Years Colleges 58
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 90
Number of Online Programs
NSU offers 28 online programs and it means online classes for many programs compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.