Aberdeen, SD · Public · 4-year
Northern State University has a 92.8% acceptance rate. Northern State University is a public 4-year institution in Aberdeen, SD, with a median SAT of 1060 and a median ACT of 21. The average net price is $15,812 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
92.8%
1,082 applicants
1060
Combined score
21
Composite score
$15,812
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Northern State University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | — | 1060 | 1160 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 18 | 21 | 24 |
50.5%
77.0%
$47,618
1,273
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Northern State University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $10,762 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $12,087 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $15,293 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $18,372 |
| $110,000+ | $17,933 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Business, Management & Marketing | 57 |
| Education | 56 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 41 |
| Psychology | 18 |
| Parks, Recreation & Fitness | 12 |
| Homeland Security & Criminal Justice | 12 |
| English Language & Literature | 11 |
| Social Sciences | 8 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 7 |
| History | 5 |
Official website: https://northern.edu/
Admissions: https://northern.edu/admissions
Northern State University has an acceptance rate of 93%. it received about 1,082 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1060; the average net price is $15,812 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Northern State University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Northern State University is accessible for most qualified applicants — it admits 93% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1060. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Northern State University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Northern State University typically have a median SAT around 1060 and a median ACT around 21. With a 93% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Northern State University is $15,812 per year after grants and scholarships. about 98% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $5,565 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Northern State University has a graduation rate of 51%. its first-year retention rate is 77%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $47,618. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Northern State University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Northern State University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1060. With a 93% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Northern State University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
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