NSU-Aberdeen vs Utah State University (USU)

Northern State University and Utah State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Northern State, nestled in the heart of South Dakota, boasts a close-knit community with a focus on personalized attention, while Utah State, situated in the vibrant city of Logan, Utah, offers a comprehensive range of academic programs and a lively campus atmosphere. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and successful college journey.
Northern State University logo

Northern State University

Utah State University logo

Utah State University

Overview

Location Aberdeen, South Dakota Logan, Utah
Campus setting Town: Remote City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 68.0% 74.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 79.8% 92.6%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $55
SAT range 1020 - 1190 1080 - 1310
ACT range 18 - 24 21 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 5.0% 13.0%
Students submitting ACT score 80.0% 79.0%
Total number of applicants 1,229 15,567
Total number of admissions given out 981 14,420
Admitted students who chose to enroll 337 4,223
Yield rate 34.4% 29.3%
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 Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,495

Out of state: $26,597
In state: $22,168

Out of state: $37,288
Average net price $16,821 $14,529
Tuition
In state: $7,616

Out of state: $10,718
In state: $8,042

Out of state: $23,162
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,800

Meal plan: $4,350
Room/dormitory: $2,410

Meal plan: $3,630
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $5,662
86.0%
Average amount $9,802
Students receiving federal student loan 65.0%
Average amount $4,850
19.0%
Average amount $4,808
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $9,043
2.0%
Average amount $13,673

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
24,255
Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Graduate students 473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
3,171
Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 38.9% 29.5%
International students 2.1% 1.4%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 853 3,125
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 Utah Idaho California Colorado Texas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 21:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.6% 55.8%
Dropout rate 25.4% 42.1%
Transferred out 22.9% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $49,248
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $46,732
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,902
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $46,239
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,575
  • Year 3: $45,796
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,996
  • Year 2: $40,728
  • Year 3: $45,442
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,033
  • Year 2: $39,523
  • Year 3: $39,953
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,526
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $39,845
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,862
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,824
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,740
  • Year 2: $34,526
  • Year 3: N/A
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $76,930
  • Year 3: $91,309
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,921
  • Year 2: $72,587
  • Year 3: $83,986
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $82,635
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $80,718
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,903
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $78,293
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,345
  • Year 2: $64,990
  • Year 3: $75,576
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,935
  • Year 2: $63,501
  • Year 3: $75,056
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,303
  • Year 2: $58,334
  • Year 3: $72,352
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,967
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $71,503
Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,228
  • Year 2: $35,416
  • Year 3: $70,839
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,717
  • Year 2: $61,728
  • Year 3: $69,682

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