NSU Rankings and Evaluation

South Dakota Colleges

#7 in South Dakota Colleges

Federal Region VIII

#5 in Federal Region VIII

Northern State University is ranked 7^th in South Dakota Colleges and 5^th in Federal Region VIII.

The following statements evaluate Northern State University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Its tuition & fees of $11,947 is comparable to similar schools.
The acceptance rate (93%) is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in).
The SAT & ACT scores (1,060 SAT, 21 ACT) is around average.
It has relatively small number of students of 3,708.
The financial aid amount ($7,194) is much higher.
It offers relatively fewer area of study (84 programs).

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of NSU are $11,947 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University $11,947

All U.S. Colleges $17,692

Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895

4-Years Colleges $22,926

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,392

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of NSU are $11,936 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University $11,936

All U.S. Colleges $18,842

Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343

4-Years Colleges $18,848

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,870

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of NSU is 93% and it is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 93%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%

4-Years Colleges 68%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 83%

Yield (Enrollment Rate)

The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of NSU is 35% and the yield is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 35%

All U.S. Colleges 37%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%

4-Years Colleges 35%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 38%

SAT Scores

The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at NSU is 1,060 and it is around average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 1,060

All U.S. Colleges 1,123

Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112

4-Years Colleges 1,124

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 1,131

ACT Scores

The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at NSU is 21 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 21

All U.S. Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges 67

4-Years Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 68

Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate at NSU is 49% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 49%

All U.S. Colleges 56%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%

4-Years Colleges 51%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 42%

Transfer-out Rate

The average transfer-out rate at NSU is 8% and it is much lower (most first-time students continue to attend) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 8%

All U.S. Colleges 21%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%

4-Years Colleges 24%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 22%

Retention Rate

The average retention rate at NSU is 77% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 77%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%

4-Years Colleges 73%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 71%

Student Population

The total student population at NSU is 3,708 and its population relatively small compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University 3,708

All U.S. Colleges 2,931

Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396

4-Years Colleges 4,686

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 5,291

Financial Aid Amount

The average amount of financial aid received at NSU is $7,194 which is 60.22% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is much higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.

Northern State University $7,194

All U.S. Colleges $7,676

Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301

4-Years Colleges $12,161

Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $4,715

Student to Faculty Ratio

The students to faculty ratio at NSU is 19 to 1 and the ratio is higher (more students per class/faculty) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.