C+
Above Average
Score: 54/100

Northern State University

4-Year Public
📍 Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
Outcomes
B
69/100
Affordability
C
50/100
Resources
C
47/100
Experience
B
71/100
Prestige
D
31/100

Quick Stats

3,521
Total Enrollment
52%
Graduation Rate
75%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
93%
Acceptance Rate
$16,873
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Northern State University

5% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 158 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$245,903
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,082
1-Year Change
+9.4%
For parents & investors

The Northern State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $245,903
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,082/mo — vs ~$569/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 57401 (3.4% cap, Aberdeen)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $7,616 $10,718
Room $5,118
Board $4,514
Total Cost (On-Campus) $23,345 $26,447

Financial Aid

98%
Receive Any Aid
28%
Receive Pell Grants
61%
Take Out Loans
$16,873
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$13,560
$30,001 - $48,000$14,226
$48,001 - $75,000$16,444
$75,001 - $110,000$19,236
$110,001+$18,673

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Biology/Biological Sciences, General 33 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 33 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 31 grads/yr Music Teacher Education 21 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 20 grads/yr Psychology, General 19 grads/yr General Studies 18 grads/yr Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 18 grads/yr Curriculum and Instruction 17 grads/yr Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 15 grads/yr Banking and Financial Support Services 13 grads/yr Special Education and Teaching, General 12 grads/yr Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 12 grads/yr Financial Mathematics 10 grads/yr Accounting 10 grads/yr Educational Administration and Supervision, Other 10 grads/yr Marketing/Marketing Management, General 8 grads/yr English Language and Literature, General 8 grads/yr Finance, General 8 grads/yr Sociology, General 8 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Northern State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Natural sciences managers
$161k/yr 104,300 jobs
Biological scientists, all other
$93k/yr 63,700 jobs
Life scientists, all other
$88k/yr 7,800 jobs
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83k/yr 66,000 jobs
Forensic science technicians
$67k/yr 20,700 jobs
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$65k/yr 1,094,500 jobs
Biological technicians
$52k/yr 82,700 jobs
Food science technicians
$49k/yr 20,400 jobs

Student Demographics

3,521
Total Students
63%
Women
42%
Traditional Age (18-24)
5%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 85%
Hispanic 4%
Black 2%
Asian 2%
Two or More 2%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 77%
Off-Campus (Renters) 5%
With Family 18%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~158 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 34%
Hybrid (Some Online) 20%
Fully Online 46%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 42%
25-64 (Adult) 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Northern State University?
Northern State University has an acceptance rate of 93%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Northern State University?
Tuition at Northern State University is $7,616 for in-state students and $10,718 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $16,873.
What is the graduation rate at Northern State University?
The graduation rate at Northern State University is 52%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Northern State University a good school?
Northern State University has a Repit College Score of 54/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Northern State University?
Northern State University has a total enrollment of 3,521 students.
Is there rental demand near Northern State University?
Yes! Approximately 5% of students at Northern State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 158 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Northern State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Northern State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD · 1,229 students
C
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · 3,475 students
C+
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · 9,868 students
C
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · 3,508 students
C+
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · 2,492 students
C
National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD · 1,026 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology