Northern State University vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Northern State University is a public university in Aberdeen, SD, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public university in Rapid City, SD. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is the more selective of the two, admitting about 80% of applicants against 93% at Northern State University. Northern State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,812 a year against $20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. About 56% of students graduate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, compared with 51% at Northern State University. Ten years after enrolling, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alumni earn a median of about $72,257, against $47,618 for Northern State University.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology harder to get into?
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 80% of applicants, compared with 93% at Northern State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
- Northern State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,812 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Northern State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
- Before aid, Northern State University costs about $22,077 a year and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology about $25,385. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
- Northern State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,762 there, against about $15,348 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is the larger of the two, with about 2,071 undergraduates against 1,273 at Northern State University.
- Does Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology have a better graduation rate?
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 56% against 51% at Northern State University.
- Do graduates of Northern State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn more?
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $47,618 for Northern State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Northern State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Northern State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 980–1160 at Northern State University and 1140–1340 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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