More selective than 33% of South Dakota colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 82% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose NSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have NSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at NSU or have its file? Send it to us.
NSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, NSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 490 | 590 |
| SAT math | 490 | 570 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 24 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 980 | 1160 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
NSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 93% | 490–590 | 490–570 | 18–24 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 93% | — | — | 18–24 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is NSU compared with other South Dakota colleges?
NSU has the 7th-lowest acceptance rate of 10 South Dakota colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Augustana University | 68% | 73% | $23,894 |
| 3 | Dakota Wesleyan University | 73% | 48% | $19,735 |
| 4 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 80% | 53% | $20,183 |
| 5 | University of Sioux Falls | 83% | 63% | $21,383 |
| 6 | Dakota State University | 88% | 51% | $21,057 |
| 7 | Northern State University | 93% | 49% | $15,812 |
| 8 | Black Hills State University | 96% | 43% | $15,911 |
| 9 | South Dakota State University | 98% | 62% | $19,841 |
| 10 | University of South Dakota | 99% | 60% | $19,858 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All South Dakota colleges →
Who enrolls at NSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
NSU admissions questions
What is the NSU acceptance rate?
Northern State University accepts 93% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,004 of 1,082 applicants were admitted.
Does NSU require the SAT or ACT?
Northern State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 82% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for NSU?
The middle 50% of Northern State University enrolled first-year students scored 980–1160 on the SAT and 18–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at NSU?
32% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (319 of 1,004).
Is NSU getting harder to get into?
Northern State University accepted 93% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 93% for Fall 2023.
Is NSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Northern State University overview