NSU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; Radford University 14:1.

NSU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or RU? 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 RU ($15,990 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 15.2% lower than at Radford University ($10,600 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,703 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.6% higher at RU than at Northern State University (about $13,686 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Radford University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 84.3% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($11,870 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or RU? 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 RU and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at RU (3.31).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 14.4% at RU.

NSU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $1,399 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($237 vs. $252).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.