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ISU Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth MSU Moorhead University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Iowa St. Cloud State University Umary University of Minnesota-Rochester| North Dakota State University Main Campus | Northern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NDSU | NSU | ||
| Location | Fargo, ND | Aberdeen, SD | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 11,952 | 3,521 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #591 | #871 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ndsu.edu | northern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NDSU | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,309 | $7,616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $13,963 | $10,718 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,565 | $10,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,461 | $16,873 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $5,841 | $5,565 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 78% | 93% |
Admission |
NDSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,331 | 1,082 | ||
| Admitted | 7,024 | 1,004 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.8% | 92.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.5% | 31.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.53 | 3.37 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 968/1216 | 800/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
NDSU | NSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NDSU | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $53,600 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 81% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,300 | $24,399 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $240 | $252 |
Diversity |
NDSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 9% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 9% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 86% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 0% |
Students |
NDSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 35% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 65% | 28% | ||
Campus |
NDSU | NSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 3,521 students)
NDSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NDSU or NSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 22.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $7,616.00)
- Out of state tuition is 30.3% higher at NDSU than Northern State University ($13,963.00 vs. $10,718.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than NSU ($16,461 vs. $16,873)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 7.7% lower than costs at Northern State University ($9,565 vs. $10,300)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (93% vs. 78%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 5% larger than aid received Northern State University ($5,841 vs. $5,565)
NDSU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NDSU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or NDSU .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 67 points higher than at NSU (1024)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NSU (22)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NSU (3.37)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than NSU (92.8%)
NDSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NDSU or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and NDSU.
- The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Northern State University (54% vs. 42%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $16,200 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $37,400)
- North Dakota State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,099 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($23,300 vs. $24,399)
- NDSU graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($240 vs. $252)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/