Overview
Northern State University is a public 4-year college located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. There are currently 1,258 undergraduates at Northern State and the school’s acceptance rate is 78%. The tuition at Northern State is $8,845 for in-state students and $11,947 for out-of-state.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$23,795
$9,374
$17,523
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$23,795for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$26,897for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Northern State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Northern State is $23,795 for in-state students in SD, and $26,897 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Northern State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Northern State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Northern State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Northern State University is 003466.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more South Dakota scholarshipsWestern Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Northern State is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Northern State. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Northern State University
31% of students at Northern State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Northern State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Northern State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Northern State University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Northern State or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://northern.edu/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 605-626-2640
Admissions
78%
21
Is Northern State test-optional?
Northern State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
16:1
Graduation Rate
51%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Education
23%
23% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
23%
23% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
8%
8% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Social Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,258
Part-Time Undergrad Students 19%
Pell Grant 13%
Undergrad Students Over 25 8%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at Northern State
80% White
5% Hispanic
4% Black
3% American Indian / Alaska Native
3% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% Multiracial
2% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$47,618
Median Debt $22,320
Debt 10 years after graduation $237
Graduation Rate 51%
What is the graduation rate at Northern State University?
51% of students who start at Northern State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 7% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Northern State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Northern State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $47,618. This is $2,773 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Northern State take out in loans?
Graduates of Northern State have to take out a median of $22,320 in federal student loans. This is $8,820 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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