NSU vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

NSU vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or USD? 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 USD ($15,990 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 2.3% lower than at Northern State University ($10,356 vs. $10,600).
• University of South Dakota is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $587 more per year; $9,432.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at USD than at Northern State University (about $995 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of South Dakota (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($6,441 vs. $5,623).

NSU vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 150 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming USD 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; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at NSU (3.37).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 24.1% at USD.

NSU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and USD? 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 South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $601 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More USD 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.