UMD Duluth vs NSU-Aberdeen
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the scenic port city of Duluth, Minnesota, or the vibrant community of Aberdeen, South Dakota. University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) and Northern State University (NSU) stand out as two compelling options for prospective students. While both institutions offer a rich academic experience, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UMD boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students the opportunity to join its diverse student body. NSU, on the other hand, takes pride in its smaller class sizes, fostering a more personalized learning environment. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a fulfilling and transformative educational journey.
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![]() Northern State University |
![]() University of Minnesota-Duluth |
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Overview |
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Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Duluth, 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% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 79.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | 1160 - 1270 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | 1.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 47.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 9,610 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 7,644 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 2,029 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 26.5% |
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:
$26,194
Out of state:
$31,492
|
Average net price | $16,821 | $16,960 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
In state:
$12,420
Out of state:
$17,718
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
$8,796 |
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 |
72.0%
Average amount $7,817 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,124 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
19.0%
Average amount $12,751 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
9,024
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
860
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 38.9% | 12.9% |
International students | 2.1% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 2,962 |
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 | Minnesota Wisconsin North Dakota Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.6% | 64.7% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 8.9% |
Transferred out | 22.9% | 25.6% |
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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Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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