Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Northern State University #1247 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,119 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern State University in the 53.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northern State University #1271 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Northern State University #1247 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Northern State University enrolls roughly 1,273 undergraduates. Retention is 77.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.9%, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion for a regional public institution. Northern State University serves a student population with substantial financial need: 12.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.7% are first-generation college students. The institution's academic portfolio centers on Education, which shapes both the student experience and post-graduation outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,116, and earn about $1,119 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern State University in the 53.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northern State University #873 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a regional public institution with broad access and a teaching-focused mission, Northern State University delivers outcomes that reflect both the strengths of its education-centered programs and the economic realities of its student population and regional labor market. The composite position reflects balanced performance across access, affordability, and mobility alongside return on investment. For many students in rural South Dakota and the Upper Midwest seeking a teaching degree or other education-focused credential, Northern State University offers a clear, affordable pathway to a stable career.
Northern State University's published cost of attendance is $22,077. Net price by income band reflects the university's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $10,762, middle-income families pay around $15,293, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,933. Azimuth ranks Northern State University #382 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Northern State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university's aid structure prioritizes closing the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry out, accounting for how net price and sticker price can differ substantially across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,320, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,116, median federal debt of $22,320 projects to a monthly payment of about $252 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Northern State University is a strong fit for students interested in Education and related fields who want a public university experience in SD. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,116, placing Northern State University in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $1,119 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 53.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 12.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.7% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Northern State University in the 7.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 93.0% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors Education fields over others. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Northern State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Northern State University's published cost of attendance is $22,077. Net price by income band reflects the university's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $10,762, middle-income families pay around $15,293, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,933.
Azimuth ranks Northern State University #382 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Northern State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university's aid structure prioritizes closing the gap between published cost and what families actually pay.
The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry out, accounting for how net price and sticker price can differ substantially across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,320, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,116, median federal debt of $22,320 projects to a monthly payment of about $252 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Northern State University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,116, placing Northern State University in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,119 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern State University in the 53.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Northern State University #873 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Northern State University's concentrated focus on education and related fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 34 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,147, representing 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Biology, General follow as substantial enrollment clusters, with Biology, General graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $70,545 and benchmarking at 1.2× the national standard.
Business Administration and Kinesiology round out the top five, with Business Administration earning $56,571 and Kinesiology earning $53,484. The institution's program mix, anchored by Education, produces outcomes that align with regional labor-market demand for educators and related professionals in SD.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Montana-Western Similar quality tier (#33878 ranked) | MT | 100% | $43,229 | #33878 | Compare |
Longwood University Similar quality tier (#33868 ranked) | VA | 90% | $52,347 | #33868 | Compare |
The Evergreen State College Similar quality tier (#34939 ranked) | WA | 96% | $45,320 | #34939 | Compare |
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education Similar quality tier (#34942 ranked) | CA | 100% | $39,271 | #34942 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee Southern Similar quality tier (#33836 ranked) | TN | 87% | $38,924 | #33836 | Compare |
Biology, General
26 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
20 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
26 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
20 graduates
Sociology
11 graduates
Northern State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher-preparation fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving South Dakota. Teacher Education is the largest program with 34 graduates, followed by Subject-Specific Teacher Education, Biology, General, Business Administration, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 270 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The strongest earnings performers include Biology, General, where graduates earn median earnings of $70,545 four years after enrollment with 26 graduates, and Accounting, where median earnings reach $67,072 with 20 graduates.
Business Administration delivers median earnings of $56,571 with 26 graduates, while Kinesiology and Sociology round out the higher-earning cluster. These programs reflect a mix of education-adjacent fields and applied professional pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional labor-market outcomes.
Education represents the institution's core strength and largest degree concentration, positioning Northern State as a primary educator-preparation hub for the region. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional workforce needs and long-term career stability in education and related fields.
