Winona State vs NSU-Aberdeen
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Winona State University and Northern State University stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. Winona State boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while Northern State maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. When it comes to academics, Winona State offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like Business Administration and Elementary Education, while Northern State excels in specialized fields such as Aviation and Nursing. As you explore the comprehensive comparison table below, you'll discover further insights into these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, empowering you to make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Northern State University |
![]() Winona State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Winona, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
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% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 76.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$20
|
SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | 970 - 1280 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | 2.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 67.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 5,335 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 4,103 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 1,098 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 26.8% |
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
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In state:
$22,994
Out of state:
$29,494
|
Average net price | $16,821 | $17,283 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
In state:
$8,100
Out of state:
$14,600
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,100
Meal plan:
$3,170
|
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 |
85.0%
Average amount $4,883 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,090 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
21.0%
Average amount $10,358 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
5,748
Men 33.1% Women 66.9% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
797
Men 19.9% Women 80.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 38.9% | N/A |
International students | 2.1% | 1.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 2,115 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.6% | 63.0% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 8.0% |
Transferred out | 22.9% | 28.5% |
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)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Materials Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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