- Both Northern State University (NSU) and Black Hills State University (BHSU) are public.
- Both schools are located in South Dakota.
- BHSU has more expensive tuition of $12,100 than NSU ($11,947).
- BHSU has tighter acceptance rate of 86.95% than NSU (87.83%).
- BHSU has higher SAT scores of 1,030 than NSU (990).
- BHSU is larger with 3,425 students than NSU (3,344 students).
Northern State University View More Rivals | Black Hills State University View More Rivals | |
| #5 in South Dakota | Rankings | #4 in South Dakota |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| Aberdeen, SD | Location | Spearfish, SD |
NSU| Known as | BHSU | |
| 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's | Offered Degrees | 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's |
| Master's College and University (smaller programs) | Carnegie Classification | Master's College and University (smaller programs) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $8,845 South Dakota residents $11,947 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $9,000 South Dakota residents $12,100 out-of-state |
| $6,736 South Dakota residents $11,936 out-of-state | Graduate | $8,916 South Dakota residents $15,849 out-of-state |
| $6,261 | Financial Aid | $4,601 |
| Admission | ||
| $20 undergraduate $35 graduate | Application Fee | $20 undergraduate $35 graduate |
| 87.83% | Acceptance Rate | 86.95% |
| 37.11% | Yield | 37.70% |
| 990 SAT, 21 ACT | Test Scores | 1,030 SAT, 21 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 3,344 | Total Students | 3,425 |
| 2,851 | Undergraduate | 3,261 |
| 493 | Graduate | 164 |
| 1,475 | Online Enrollment | 1,332 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 50% | Graduation Rate | 44% |
| 25% | Transfer-out Rate | |
| 74% | Retention Rate | 71% |
| $37,300 | Average Earning after Graduation | $40,500 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 851) $4,900 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 826) $3,680 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 16 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 18 to 1 |
| 89 Full-time 42 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 119 Full-time 96 Part-time |
| 325 Full-time 54 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 326 Full-time 138 Part-time |
| $67,517 for Faculties $52,378 Part-time | Average Salary | $65,584 for Faculties $53,780 Part-time |