Northern State University vs California State University-Sacramento
Aberdeen, SD — Sacramento, CA
| Metric | Northern State University Aberdeen, SD | California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Aberdeen, SD | Sacramento, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 1,273 | 28,350 |
| Acceptance Rate | 93.0% | 94.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,089 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $8,845 | $8,018 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,947 | $20,618 |
| Avg Net Price | $15,812 | $9,338 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,320 | $15,000 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 50.5% | 56.1% |
| Retention Rate | 77.0% | 81.9% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $41,536 | $51,074 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $47,618 | $64,876 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 113800.0% | 911700.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD
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California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do Northern State University and California State University-Sacramento compare?▼
Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD) has an acceptance rate of 93.0%, in-state tuition of $8,845, and median 10-year earnings of $47,618. California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento, CA) has an acceptance rate of 94.0%, in-state tuition of $8,018, and median 10-year earnings of $64,876.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, Northern State University or California State University-Sacramento?▼
California State University-Sacramento graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $64,876 vs $47,618. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, Northern State University or California State University-Sacramento?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California State University-Sacramento is the more affordable option at $9,338 per year versus $15,812.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
California State University-Sacramento has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 56.1% vs 50.5%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025