Northern State University
Northern State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northern State University at a Glance
Northern State University (NSU) is a public university in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States. NSU is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and offers 45 bachelor's degrees, 53 minors, six associate degrees, 16 pre-professional programs, 23 certificates and 10 graduate degrees.
1901
125 years old
$52M
$52 million
3,622
120
Identity
Is Northern State University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Northern State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,618 — 11% below average — while paying $15,812/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northern State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northern State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #42 of 79 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #5 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #42 | Northern State University | 38 | $15,812 | $47,618 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northern State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SD.
Best Programs at Northern State University
The highest-earning program at Northern State University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $38,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $37,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Northern State University earns $38,400, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $37,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,250 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,812/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,400 | $38,400 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,000 | $37,000 | $25,250 |
Similar Colleges in SD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Aberdeen, SD
- Student Body
- 1,273 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,812
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,618
- Median Student Debt
- $22,320