Northern State University

northern state university notable alumni

Northern State University

Northern State University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s In Finance.

Northern State University (NSU) offers graduate and undergraduate degrees from its School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine Arts, and College of Arts and Sciences.

The NSU School of Business offers degrees in Accounting, Banking and Financial Services, Business Administration, Economics, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Professional Accountancy. Many of these degrees have concentrations that allow students to gain further training in their areas of interest. Graduate degrees are offered in the field of banking and financial services.

Undergraduate programs offered through the Millicent Atkins School of Education at NSU include Elementary Education, E-learning, Psychology, and Physical Education. Students within the school have opportunities to participate in the Reading Clinic practicum, the Rural Student Teaching Placement Project, and the Nora Staael Evert Human Performance and Fitness Lab. Education graduate degrees include Counseling and Educational Leadership.

NSU’s School of Fine Arts operates out of the Johnson Fine Arts Center where over 60 student events are orchestrated each year. Undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art, music, and theater are offered through the school. Also notable are the rigorous arts educator programs.

The College of Arts and Sciences is home to NSU’s departments of Science, Social Work, History, English, and other liberal arts programs. Degree programs include Biotechnology, Chemistry Education, and Environmental Science. Many degrees at both the master’s and bachelor’s level are offered through an online learning model.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a public university located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The university has a student body of 3,622 and offers almost 50 undergraduate majors. Originally founded through legislation passed in 1885, the campus location was not solidified until the turn of the century. Citizens of Aberdeen donated land and resources, and the school officially opened its doors in 1902. Throughout the Great Depression and World War II, NSU continued to diversify its program offerings and enhance the quality of its instruction. In 1989, NSU officially gained university status.

The 72-acre NSU campus is home to the Johnson Fine Arts Center, the Mewaldt Jensen academic building, and the H. P. Gerber education building. Six dormitories, a gymnasium, student center, and administrative buildings make up the remainder of the campus. The Joseph H. Barnett Physical Education and Convocation Center hosts NSU’s sports teams, the Wolves.

Northern State University Accreditation Details

Northern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education. HLC first granted accreditation to the university in 1918, and NSU’s most recent reaffirmation was 2017. The next reaffirmation of accreditation is scheduled for 2027.

NSU maintains other accreditations for specific programs and fields. These accrediting bodies are the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the Network of International Business Schools, the National Association for Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment, and the South Dakota Department of Education.

Northern State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate applicants to NSU must meet academic standards to be accepted to the university. Students must either have ranked in the top 60 percent of their graduating class, obtained a GPA of at least 2.6, or completed the ACT with a score of 18 or higher or the SAT with a score of 870 or higher. Applicants must also have completed a variety of prerequisite coursework including four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of laboratory science, three years of social science, and one year of fine arts. These prerequisites may be waived for students who have completed AP tests in math, science, fine arts, or English with scores of 3 or above. The undergraduate application process begins with the submission of an online admissions and housing application. Students must then arrange for official copies of test scores and transcripts to be sent to NSU Admissions.

Applicants for admission to graduate degree programs must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher. Exceptions to this standard may be granted if the applicant has earned a GPA of 3.25 within their undergraduate major or a 3.0 during their final 64 hours of undergraduate study. Graduate applicants must submit an online application form to the Office of Graduate Studies and pay a $35 application fee. Students must also send two letters of reference, an official transcript of all undergraduate institutions attended, and proof of current vaccinations. Different degree programs may have unique application requirements including a professional resume, a writing sample, or a business portfolio.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate students who are residents of South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, or Nebraska will pay $15,958 for a year of study at NSU. This cost includes tuition, fees, housing, and a meal plan. Minnesota residents will pay $16,843 per year and all other students will pay $18,931 per year. NSU is known for its affordability, particularly for out-of-state students. In addition to federal grants and loans, NSU offers a number of scholarships for incoming freshman. The most notable of these is the WolfPACT Scholarship which offers up to $12,000 per year based on ACT or SAT scores.

Graduate tuition per credit hour is $319.40 for residents, $169.30 for graduate assistants, $596.30 for nonresidents, and $175.70 for students over the age of 65. Graduate assistantships are available for many master’s and doctorate degree programs. Students must study on-campus to receive these positions. To apply and be accepted for an assistantship, degree candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their time in the program and be enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester. Recipients of assistantships will be paired with a staff mentor to ensure successful completion of assigned tasks. These tasks may include teaching undergraduate classes, serving as a research assistant, or assisting a faculty member with grading or teaching.

For more information about Northern State University’s degree programs, visit their website.