Dakota State vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota State University in Madison, SD with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota State University 18:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Dakota State vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Dakota State ($15,990 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 8.1% lower than at Northern State University ($9,742 vs. $10,600).
• Dakota State University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $809 more per year; $9,654.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Dakota State than at Northern State University (about $809 more per year; $12,756.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Dakota State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($6,441 vs. $5,371).

Dakota State vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Dakota State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 250 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Dakota State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 1190/1440; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Dakota State vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dakota State and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Dakota State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($242 vs. $252).
• More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.