DSU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern State University is larger than DSU based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 1,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Dickinson 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: Dickinson State University 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

DSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSU 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 Dickinson State University than NSU ($14,698 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson State University are 19.2% lower than at Northern State University ($8,564 vs. $10,600).
• Dickinson State University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $273 more per year; $9,118.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31% higher at NSU than at Dickinson State University (about $2,829 more per year; $11,947.00 vs. $9,118.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Dickinson State University (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($6,441 vs. $5,667).

DSU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSU 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 DSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 70 points higher than at DSU (1000).
• Incoming NSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at DSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson State University 875/1130; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson State University 16/21; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSU - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at DSU (3.11).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than DSU (37%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 51.8% at DSU vs. 35.2% at NSU.

DSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSU 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 Dickinson State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Dickinson State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson State University graduates have a $5,618 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($18,781 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, DSU graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($194 vs. $252).
• More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.