Pitt State vs NSU-Aberdeen
Pittsburg State University and Northern State University, both public universities with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Pittsburg State, located in Pittsburg, Kansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to Northern State's 78% in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Pittsburg State's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population. Northern State, on the other hand, has a higher graduation rate (58%) than Pittsburg State's 48%. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Pittsburg State excels in fields like business, education, and nursing, while Northern State is known for its strong programs in arts, sciences, and teacher education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.
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![]() Northern State University |
![]() Pittsburg State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Pittsburg, Kansas |
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% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 93.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
$35 |
SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 17 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 88.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 2,216 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 2,075 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 812 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 39.1% |
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 | 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:
$21,454
Out of state:
$32,798
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Average net price | $16,821 | $14,748 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
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In state:
$5,836
Out of state:
$17,180
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
$8,196 |
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 |
93.0%
Average amount $4,551 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,991 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
6.0%
Average amount $9,978 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
4,560
Men 49.6% Women 50.4% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
1,457
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 38.9% | N/A |
International students | 2.1% | 3.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 1,300 |
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 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.6% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 45.5% |
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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Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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