10-yr median earnings
$47,618
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Aberdeen, South Dakota
Northern State University
Northern State University is a public institution in Aberdeen, South Dakota. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $15,812
- Avg net price / yr
- $47,618
- 10-yr median earnings
- 50.5%
- 150%-time completion
- 93.0%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
Northern State University pairs above-median former-student earnings with open admission.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 33%
- former-student earnings, US
- 93.0%
- acceptance rate
- 50.5%
- 150%-time completion
- +15%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
Town: Remote
Carnegie: Master's (S)
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this Northern State University profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
C-
College Value Score
53/100
Northern State University
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings C+
$47,618
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price C
$15,812
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate D
50.5%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$22,320
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment A+
82.9%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention C-
77.0%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$15,812
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
50.5%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 50.5%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - Northern State University vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How Northern State University ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
Northern State University: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$47,618 Top 33% higher than 67% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | Northern State University | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $47,618 | #1693 of 5103 | 67th |
| Average net price | $15,812 | #2246 of 5020 | 55th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 50.5% | #2931 of 4858 | 40th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,273 | #1932 of 5462 | 65th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
1,273
Undergraduate enrollment
93.0%
Acceptance rate
1,089
SAT average
50.5%
150%-time completion
$47,618
10-yr median earnings
77.0%
First-year retention
How Northern State University ranks in South Dakota
State rank among 21 reporting South Dakota colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | Northern State University | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $47,618 | #10 of 21 | 52nd |
| Average net price | $15,812 | #7 of 21 | 67th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 50.5% | #14 of 21 | 33rd |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,273 | #9 of 24 | 63rd |
Highest former-student earnings in South Dakota
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | $72,257 | $20,183 |
| 2 | Augustana University | $59,217 | $23,894 |
| 3 | South Dakota State University | $55,070 | $19,841 |
| 4 | University of Sioux Falls | $54,521 | $21,383 |
| 5 | Dakota Wesleyan University | $53,728 | $19,735 |
| 6 | University of South Dakota | $51,926 | $19,858 |
| 7 | Dakota State University | $50,970 | $21,057 |
| 8 | Mitchell Technical College | $50,743 | $13,460 |
| 9 | Mount Marty University | $48,179 | $22,227 |
| 10 | Northern State UniversityThis school | $47,618 | $15,812 |
| 11 | Southeast Technical College | $46,709 | $17,400 |
| 12 | Black Hills State University | $46,674 | $15,911 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 93.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,089 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 490 – 570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490 – 590 |
| ACT Average | 21 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 18 – 24 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at Northern State University
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$10,762 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$12,087 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$15,293 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$17,933 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at Northern State University - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $8,845 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,947 |
| Average Net Price | $15,812 |
12.4%
Pell Grant Rate
22.1%
Federal Loan Rate
$22,320
Median Debt
$237/mo
Monthly Payment
2013–2023: what Northern State University costs has stayed close to flat
Average net price moved +18.8% over 10 years, from $14,387 to $17,094 in nominal dollars. The median college measured over the same span moved +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $14,3872023 · $17,094
Over the same years, enrollment went -29.3% (1,753 → 1,239 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
60.5%
Female
30.7%
First Generation
Outcomes
77.0%
Retention Rate
$41,536
Median Earnings (6yr)
70.2%
Earning Over $25K
82.9%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 50.5% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 77.0% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $41,536 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $47,618 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 70.2% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 82.9% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $22,320 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $237/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 12 | 215 | $54,604 | $70,545 | $22,960 |
| Master's | 3 | 26 | $49,669 | $49,669 | - |
Top programs at Northern State University by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Biology, General
Biology, General
$70,545 median earnings
- Accounting and Related Ser…
Accounting and Related Services
$67,072 median earnings
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$56,571 median earnings
- Sports, Kinesiology, and P…
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$53,484 median earnings
- Sociology
Sociology
$50,765 median earnings
- Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
$49,669 median earnings
- Finance and Financial Mana…
Finance and Financial Management Services
$48,324 median earnings
- Psychology, General
Psychology, General
$45,921 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | 26 | $70,545 | $21,862 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Bachelor's | 20 | $67,072 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | 26 | $56,571 | $23,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's | 20 | $53,484 | $24,150 |
| Sociology | Bachelor's | 11 | $50,765 | - |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 8 | $49,669 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's | 17 | $48,324 | - |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 17 | $45,921 | - |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | 34 | $44,147 | $20,500 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | Master's | 5 | - | - |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Bachelor's | 26 | - | - |
| English Language and Literature, General | Bachelor's | 4 | - | - |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Master's | 13 | - | - |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's | 6 | - | - |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | 8 | - | $23,250 |
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY
1,285 students · 12 apart
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV
1,321 students · 48 apart
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online
Manchester, NH
1,157 students · 116 apart
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA
1,395 students · 122 apart
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT
$15,815 net price · $3 apart
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville
Nashville, TN
$15,816 net price · $4 apart
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
$15,796 net price · $16 apart
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
$15,788 net price · $24 apart
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern State University? ▼
Northern State University is a public institution in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The acceptance rate is 93.0%. The average SAT score is 1,089. Undergraduate enrollment is 1,273 students.
How much do Northern State University former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at Northern State University who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $47,618 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $41,536.
How much does Northern State University cost? ▼
The average net price at Northern State University is $15,812. In-state tuition is $8,845 and out-of-state tuition is $11,947. Median student debt at graduation is $22,320.
What is the graduation rate at Northern State University? ▼
Northern State University has a 50.5% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 77.0%.
Is Northern State University worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at Northern State University is $22,320, while former students earn a median of $47,618 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 47% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 82.9% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $237.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from Northern State University
- Compare Northern State University against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in South Dakota side by side.Browse South Dakota
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.