Dakota State University (Dakota State) vs. Northern State University (NSU)

Compare two schools with tuition, admission, test scores, and more academic characteristics.

  • Both Dakota State University (Dakota State) and Northern State University (NSU) are public.
  • Both schools are located in South Dakota.
  • Dakota State has more expensive tuition of $12,735 than NSU ($11,947).
  • Dakota State has tighter acceptance rate of 84.36% than NSU (87.83%).
  • Dakota State has higher SAT scores of 1,080 than NSU (990).
  • NSU is larger with 3,344 students than Dakota State (3,241 students).
Dakota State University

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Northern State University

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#1 in South Dakota
Rankings#5 in South Dakota
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Madison, SDLocationAberdeen, SD
Dakota StateKnown asNSU
1 Year Certificate
2 Year Certificate
Associate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Offered Degrees1 Year Certificate
Associate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (smaller programs)
Tuition & Fees
$9,633 South Dakota residents
$12,735 out-of-state
Undergraduate$8,845 South Dakota residents
$11,947 out-of-state
$6,731 South Dakota residents
$11,931 out-of-state
Graduate$6,736 South Dakota residents
$11,936 out-of-state
$5,725Financial Aid$6,261
Admission
$20 undergraduate
$35 graduate
Application Fee$20 undergraduate
$35 graduate
84.36%Acceptance Rate87.83%
46.46%Yield37.11%
1,080 SAT, 23 ACTTest Scores990 SAT, 21 ACT
Student Population
3,241Total Students3,344
2,757Undergraduate2,851
484Graduate493
1,773Online Enrollment1,475
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
48%Graduation Rate50%
Transfer-out Rate25%
74%Retention Rate74%
$43,100Average Earning after Graduation$37,300
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesStudy Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 934)
$4,322 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 851)
$4,900 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
103 Full-time
31 Part-time
Number of Faculties89 Full-time
42 Part-time
311 Full-time
54 Part-time
Number of Staffs325 Full-time
54 Part-time
$77,017 for Faculties
$60,686 Part-time
Average Salary$67,517 for Faculties
$52,378 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023