Acceptance rate
93.0%
Northern State University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate
This public university is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota and enrolls about 3,344 students. It has a 93% acceptance rate and admits students across a wide range of test scores (SAT 980–1160). The school's strongest academic programs are in Business & Marketing, Education, and Biology. The 49% six-year graduation rate is notably lower than national averages, though the first-year retention rate is 77%.
Enrollment
3,344
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
49%
Will you get into Northern State University?
Enter your GPA, SAT & ACT and get your personal admission probability — free, no credit card.
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The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.
SAT (combined)
980 – 1160
ACT (composite)
18 – 24
GPA
Not published
$ What You'll Actually Pay
Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).
$0–30k
$10,762
family income
$30–48k
$12,087
family income
$48–75k
$15,293
family income
$75–110k
$18,372
family income
$110k+
$17,933
family income
12% receive Pell grants
22% take federal loans
✦ Strongest Programs
The fields Northern State University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.
Business & Marketing
21.8%
Education
21.4%
Biology
19.3%
Humanities
6.4%
Psychology
6.4%
↗ Outcomes
School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,618
Earnings (6 yr)
$41,536
Completion
49%
Retention
77%
Median debt
$22,320
? Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern State University?
Northern State University has an acceptance rate of 93.0%, making it relatively accessible.
What SAT score do you need for Northern State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 980 and 1160 on the SAT. The ACT range is 18–24.
How much does Northern State University actually cost?
After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $10,762 per year, rising to $17,933 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.
What are my chances of getting into Northern State University?
Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.
See your real odds at Northern State University and ~50 top schools
UniversityOdds compares your profile to real admissions data — and tells you honestly when it's guessing.
Get my free odds →Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.