NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls

Comparable Facts

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

Northern State University is larger than University of Sioux Falls based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 1,450 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of Sioux Falls is in Sioux Falls, SD (Midsize City setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Sioux Falls is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; University of Sioux Falls 18:1.

NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or University of Sioux Falls? 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 University of Sioux Falls ($15,990 vs. $21,385).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Sioux Falls are 12.5% lower than at Northern State University ($9,270 vs. $10,600).
• University of Sioux Falls is 145.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $12,905 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at University of Sioux Falls than at Northern State University (about $9,803 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Sioux Falls than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Sioux Falls students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,782 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or University of Sioux Falls? 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 University of Sioux Falls and NSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; University of Sioux Falls - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman University of Sioux Falls students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than University of Sioux Falls (82.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 15.3% at University of Sioux Falls.

NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and University of Sioux Falls? 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).

• University of Sioux Falls's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of Sioux Falls earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have a $1,649 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,750 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($235 vs. $252).
• More University of Sioux Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.