Northern State University
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,618 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,812 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.7 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $17.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,055,497.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northern State University Matters
Northern State University is a public university in Aberdeen, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,273
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Humanities
Why students choose Northern State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1160. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,812 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,618 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $22,320 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.61 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Northern State University is a solid choice for students looking for a supportive environment where they can explore a variety of fields. With an enrollment of about 1,273 students and a high acceptance rate of 93%, it’s a place where many can find their footing. Popular programs include Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Humanities. This variety gives students the chance to delve into subjects that truly interest them while also preparing for diverse career paths.
When it comes to what life looks like after graduation, the numbers tell an encouraging story. Graduates earn a median income of $47,618 ten years after completing their degree, which can be quite promising. The affordability factor is also worth noting, as the net price after financial aid is around $15,812. With a median debt of $22,320, many students find themselves in a manageable position as they transition into the workforce.
In terms of the practicalities, Northern State University keeps costs relatively low for those who qualify for aid, with a Pell Grant rate of 12%. Students who tend to thrive here are those who appreciate a close-knit community and are motivated to engage with their studies. While the graduation rate sits at 51%, the supportive atmosphere and accessible programs can help students make the most of their college experience and set them up for future success.
Rankings
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota
- #5 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
- #5 Best Master's Programs in South Dakota
- #8 Best Business Colleges in South Dakota
- #11 Best Colleges in South Dakota
- #11 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota
- #38 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Mathematics
- #41 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Physical Sciences
Can I Get In?
How selective Northern State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northern State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northern State University, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,089. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1089
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 980–1160
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 95%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,949
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 1,322
- Admitted
- 1,033
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northern State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northern State University is $11,947, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,812. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,762 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,320 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,845
- Out-of-State
- $11,947
- Avg Net Price
- $15,812
- Median Debt
- $22,320
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 22%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,762
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,087
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,293
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,933
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Northern State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Northern State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northern State University earn a median of $47,618, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,536
- 8 Years
- $42,830
- 10 Years
- $47,618
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (88)
- 29%
- 100% (88)
- 29%
- 100% (88)
- 29%
- 100% (88)
- 29%
How Northern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Northern State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northern State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,812/year ($63,248 total). Graduates earn $47,618 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,118,745 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,055,497 (17.7× your investment). The median debt is $22,320, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,248
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,118,745
- Net Return
- $1,055,497
- ROI Multiple
- 17.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,812
- Median Debt
- $22,320
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $727,054
- Investment Income
- $65,567
Top Programs
The fields Northern State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 21% $50,714 early-career
- Education 21% $46,961 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 18% $45,495 early-career
- Humanities 11% $24,743 early-career
- Psychology 8% $32,603 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $33,980 early-career
- Social Sciences 2% $41,658 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Northern State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northern State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northern State University, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,089. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northern State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northern State University is $11,947, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,812. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,762 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,320 in federal student loans.
Is Northern State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northern State University earn a median of $47,618, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Northern State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northern State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northern State University.
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO · Close peer51% grad $46,833 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME · Close peer52% grad $44,433 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Avila UniversityKansas City, MO · Close peer47% grad $52,773 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT · Close peer50% grad $43,229 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Piedmont UniversityDemorest, GA · Close peer44% grad $49,130 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northern State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northern State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note