Research.com
Northern State University logo

Northern State University

#1016 in US ranking Aberdeen, SD
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$22,410
Tuition & fees
$9,095
Avg. aid
$7,194
Receiving aid
98%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
93%
SAT range
980–1160
ACT range
18–24

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
Median salary
$44,869
1 yr after graduation

What does Northern State University offer in terms of athletics?

Northern State's Wolves compete in NCAA Division II varsity athletics and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. That verified affiliation is more reliable than an isolated directory field that may classify the university differently.

Varsity offerings include sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, cross-country, track and field, and wrestling. A varsity roster spot is distinct from participation in intramural activities or general campus recreation: varsity athletes follow team selection and competition requirements, while recreational opportunities are designed for broader participation.

Students interested in a particular sport should check its current varsity roster or the university's recreation schedule rather than assume every activity listed in a general college directory is an intercollegiate team. Athletic aid, where available, is subject to the university's recruiting and financial aid rules.

What student groups and Associations are available at Northern State University?

Northern State offers student organizations as a way to participate outside class, including academic, cultural, service, performing-arts, and recreational interests. Student government provides a route for students who want to take part in campus representation and programming.

Performing opportunities include choral groups, theater, and marching band. Northern State also reports a student-run newspaper and student television activity. Those outlets serve different interests from a journalism course or an institution-run communications office: students should check each group's current participation and leadership arrangements.

Organization rosters can change as students graduate and new groups form. An applicant seeking a particular club or identity-based community will get a more accurate picture from the university's current recognized-organization directory and event calendar than from an older list.

Who studies at Northern State University?

Northern State enrolls about 3,708 students in the reported institutional figures. Its student body includes first-time students, transfers, and people of a wide range of ages; the reported incoming first-time degree-seeking group numbered 356, while 91 students entered as degree-seeking transfers.

About 71% of students were South Dakota residents, with another 26% coming from other U.S. states. International students accounted for a small share. The reported age distribution includes many students below age 18, so the institution-wide enrollment total should not be interpreted as a count of traditional-age undergraduates living on campus. Dual-enrollment or other enrollment arrangements can also make a university population look different from its on-campus residential population.

These figures describe who enrolled, not who will be in a particular classroom. Program format, course level, and time of day may produce a different mix of classmates for an adult learner, a graduate student, or a first-year residential student.

How does student life look like at Northern State University?

Life at Northern State combines a residential campus with a substantial commuting population. About 38% of students were reported as living on campus, while 62% commuted, so students' schedules and opportunities to attend evening events will differ.

Campus programming, performances, games, and student-led activities offer ways to meet people beyond a major. Northern State also reports access to a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling, alongside academic and career support. New students should look at orientation and advising arrangements for their entry term, especially if they will be commuting or beginning with college credit already earned.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. That institution-wide calculation is not a class-size promise: an introductory lecture and an upper-level seminar can feel quite different. Visiting a department, reviewing course schedules, and asking how advising works can provide a clearer picture of day-to-day academic contact.

What libraries are available to students at Northern State University?

Beulah Williams Library is Northern State's main campus library. Students can use its study areas and academic resources, including research materials and assistance with finding and evaluating sources.

The library reports reservable study rooms, which can be useful for group projects or focused work. Students working remotely or conducting advanced research should check current access to online databases, journals, research help, and borrowing or interlibrary-loan services for their specific needs. The library does not report a study area that remains open around the clock, so its posted hours matter to students who plan to work late.

Northern State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

3708

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

267

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

86 full time, 52 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Northern State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 3,169
Graduate: 539

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 1,187
Part-time: 2,521

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 166
Men: 101

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 81
Black or African American: 32
White: 970
American Indian or Alaska Native: 26
Asian: 27
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 6
Two or more races: 70
Unknown: 7

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Northern State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men–Men

Basketball

BothBothMen

Cheerleading

Women––

Cross-country running

Both–Men

Football

MenBothMen

Sand volleyball

–Both–

Soccer

Women–Women

Softball

WomenBoth–

Swimming and diving

Women–Women

Track and field

Both–Men

Volleyball

WomenBoth–

Wrestling

Men–Men

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles