NSU-Aberdeen vs University of Mary (UMary)
Northern State University and University of Mary, both located in North Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Northern State University, a public institution, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to University of Mary's (75%), a private university. While Northern State University excels in popular majors like Business, Education, and Nursing, University of Mary shines in fields such as Business, Health Professions, and Education. Northern State University's student body is more diverse, with 43% female and 57% male students, while University of Mary's student body is predominantly female (62%). Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Northern State University at 56% and University of Mary at 58%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Northern State University |
![]() University of Mary |
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Overview |
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Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Bismarck, North Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 78.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 1,532 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 1,207 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 510 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 42.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,495
Out of state:
$26,597
|
$35,370 |
Average net price | $16,821 | $19,474 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
$18,340 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
Room/dormitory:
$3,690
Meal plan:
$4,300
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $5,662 |
100.0%
Average amount $11,954 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,176 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
20.0%
Average amount $10,222 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
2,579
Men 41.5% Women 58.5% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
1,215
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 38.9% | 64.5% |
International students | 2.1% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 1,325 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Dakota Minnesota North Dakota Iowa Wisconsin | North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin California Montana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.6% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 31.5% |
Transferred out | 22.9% | 2.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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