Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) vs NSU-Aberdeen

Saint Cloud State University and Northern State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Saint Cloud State, located in the vibrant city of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations. Northern State, nestled in the charming town of Aberdeen, South Dakota, maintains a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. While Saint Cloud State excels in fields like business, education, and nursing, Northern State shines in areas such as agriculture, education, and health sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, student demographics, and additional academic programs, to determine which university best aligns with your educational goals and preferences.
Northern State University logo

Northern State University

Saint Cloud State University logo

Saint Cloud State University

Overview

Location Aberdeen, South Dakota Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Campus setting Town: Remote City: Small
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% 62.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 79.8% 94.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
$40
SAT range 1020 - 1190 N/A
ACT range 18 - 24 18 - 24
Students submitting SAT score 5.0%
Students submitting ACT score 80.0% 39.0%
Total number of applicants 1,229 4,228
Total number of admissions given out 981 3,988
Admitted students who chose to enroll 337 837
Yield rate 34.4% 21.0%
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,495

Out of state: $26,597
In state: $22,317

Out of state: $31,157
Average net price $16,821 $13,615
Tuition
In state: $7,616

Out of state: $10,718
In state: $7,839

Out of state: $16,679
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,800

Meal plan: $4,350
Room/dormitory: $6,036

Meal plan: $3,311
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $5,662
83.0%
Average amount $6,233
Students receiving federal student loan 65.0%
Average amount $4,850
48.0%
Average amount $5,504
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $9,043
12.0%
Average amount $10,683

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
8,956
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students 473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
1,818
Men 36.9% Women 63.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students 38.9% N/A
International students 2.1% 10.2%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 853 1,642
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 16:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.6% 47.2%
Dropout rate 25.4% 16.2%
Transferred out 22.9% 34.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $49,248
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $46,732
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,902
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $46,239
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,575
  • Year 3: $45,796
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,996
  • Year 2: $40,728
  • Year 3: $45,442
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,033
  • Year 2: $39,523
  • Year 3: $39,953
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,526
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $39,845
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,862
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,824
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,740
  • Year 2: $34,526
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $80,556
  • Year 3: $94,800
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,020
  • Year 2: $75,204
  • Year 3: $92,834
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,563
  • Year 2: $70,009
  • Year 3: $81,117
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,734
  • Year 2: $59,253
  • Year 3: $78,506
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,589
  • Year 2: $63,377
  • Year 3: $74,072
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,404
  • Year 2: $66,377
  • Year 3: $68,544
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $58,522
  • Year 3: $66,211
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,623
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $63,637
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,397
  • Year 2: $62,154
  • Year 3: $62,291
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,276
  • Year 2: $51,273
  • Year 3: $57,748

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