NSU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

NSU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($15,990 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 2.9% lower than at Tarleton State University ($10,600 vs. $10,920).
• Northern State University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $543 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.9% higher at Tarleton than at Northern State University (about $6,195 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Tarleton State University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tarleton State University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($7,929 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is the same as at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Tarleton (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

NSU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Tarleton? 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 Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $4,649 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($204 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.