Rocky Mountain College vs NSU-Aberdeen
Rocky Mountain College and Northern State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Rocky Mountain College, nestled in the picturesque Billings, Montana, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized attention, while Northern State University, located in the vibrant city of Aberdeen, South Dakota, prides itself on its comprehensive academic programs and strong regional ties. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and successful college journey.
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![]() Northern State University |
![]() Rocky Mountain College |
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Overview |
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Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Billings, Montana |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
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% | 60.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 80.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | 975 - 1180 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | 9.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 57.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 1,396 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 1,126 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 220 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 19.5% |
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
|
$44,759 |
Average net price | $16,821 | $19,726 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
$30,725 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,413
Meal plan:
$4,442
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $5,662 |
99.0%
Average amount $22,513 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
66.0%
Average amount $5,220 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
9.0%
Average amount $23,696 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
817
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
241
Men 23.7% Women 76.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 38.9% | 35.4% |
International students | 2.1% | 4.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 571 |
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 | Montana California Washington Arizona Idaho |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.6% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 47.7% |
Transferred out | 22.9% | N/A |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees)
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