NSU vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to Northern State University or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or South Dakota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northern State University vs. South Dakota State University comparison
Northern State University South Dakota State University College 3 College 4
South Dakota State University
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Overview

NSU South Dakota State University
Location Aberdeen, SD Brookings, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 3,344 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #820 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northern.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $7,616 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $10,718 $11,283
Room & Board $9,150 $8,087
Avg Net Price $17,264 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $5,715 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

NSU South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,322 6,364
Admitted 1,033 5,478
Acceptance Rate 78.1% 86.1%
Enrolled % 28.9% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 800/1150 1020/1245
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

Academics

NSU South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

NSU South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 42% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,399 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $252 $259

Diversity

NSU South Dakota State University
% Men 37% 44%
% Women 63% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 3% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

NSU South Dakota State University
% In-State 69% 50%
% Out-of-State 30% 48%

Campus

NSU South Dakota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 3,344 students)

NSU vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or South Dakota State University?

  • South Dakota State University is 2.1% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at South Dakota State University than Northern State University ($11,283.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than South Dakota State University ($17,264 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 13.1% lower than costs at Northern State University ($8,087 vs. $9,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 25.6% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($5,715 vs. $4,551)

NSU vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or NSU .

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 44 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than NSU (78.1%)

NSU vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than Northern State University (60% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $10,300 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Northern State University students graduate with a $717 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($24,399 vs. $25,116)
  • NSU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($252 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University 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/