NSU Admission Requirements

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Aberdeen, SD
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#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

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NSU Admission Overview

NSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year NSU admitted 93% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (B+) and SAT 980-1160 / ACT 18-24. NSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

93%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The NSU acceptance rate is 93%. Last year, 1,010 of 1,086 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into NSU and can you get accepted?

NSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Northern State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.37. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 35% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.37

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.37

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at NSU typically have around a 3.37 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. NSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #6 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Northern State University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	4.78%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	25.08%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	19.1%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	16.12%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	13.13%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	14.63%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	6.27%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.9%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

NSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

980-1160

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 490
Math 490
Composite 980

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 590
Math 570
Composite 1160

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at NSU typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 980–1160) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. NSU ranks #7 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 980 to 1160

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

NSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Northern State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1160+	Above 75th	>96%
1070 to 1160	Avg +	93%-96%
980 to 1070	Avg -	87%-93%
Below 980	Below mid-50	<87%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

74%

25th Percentile Scores

English 16
Math 17
Composite 18

75th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 25
Composite 24

Average ACT

Incoming testers at NSU typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NSU places #9 among colleges in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to NSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Northern State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
24+	Above 75th	>96%
21 to 24	Avg +	93%-96%
18 to 21	Avg -	87%-93%
Below 18	Below mid-50	<87%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

67% of Northern State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 29% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northern State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	9%
Top 25% of class	29%
Top 50% of class	67%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the NSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Northern State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	640	446	1,086
Accepted	612	398	1,010
Acceptance Rate	96%	89%	93%
Enrolled	209	147	356
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	34%	37%	35%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northern State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northern State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northern State University is $20.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Northern State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

NSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 93% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (980-1160); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025