Northern State University Admissions

ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid & More

Northern students in Washington, DC, for Obama's second inauguration
Northern students in Washington, DC, for Obama's second inauguration. worldstreetphotos.com / Flickr
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated October 25, 2017

Northern State University Admissions Overview:

With an acceptance rate of 81%, Northern State University is not highly selective, and students with solid grades and test scores have a good chance of being admitted. To apply, interested students will need to submit an application, official high school transcripts, and scores from either the SAT or ACT. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact the admissions office.

Admissions Data (2016):

Northern State University Description:

Founded in 1901, Northern State University is a four-year, public university located in Aberdeen, a growing city of about 27,000 people in northeastern South Dakota. The university offers 41 undergraduate bachelor's degree programs, nine master’s degree programs, eight associate degree programs, and eight certificates through the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine Arts, and Graduate Studies. The university also has a broad offering of online courses.Northern's 3,500 students are supported by an 18 to 1 student / faculty ratio.

Students are active outside of the classroom, and Northern is home to numerous intramural sports and over 70 student clubs and organizations including Chess Club, Speech and Debate Club, and the Northern Rodeo Club. On the intercollegiate front, the Northern State Wolves compete in the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), with eight men’s sports and ten women’s sports.

Northern’s homecoming parade, or Gypsy Day parade, is the largest parade in South Dakota.

Enrollment (2016):

  • Total Enrollment: 3,587 (3,075 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 43% Male / 57% Female
  • 46% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

  • Tuition and Fees: $7,887 (in-state); $10,800 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,200 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $7,520
  • Other Expenses: $4,000
  • Total Cost: $20,607 (in-state); $23,520 (out-of-state)

Northern State University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 96%
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 85%
    • Loans: 68%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $4,620
    • Loans: $6,509

Academic Programs:

  • Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Elementary Education, Psychology, Sociology

Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates:

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 74%
  • Transfer Out Rate: 24%
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 25%
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 50%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

  • Men's Sports: Wrestling, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Track and Field
  • Women's Sports: Softball, Swimming, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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