Campus & Student Life at Northern State University

Home to about 2,968 undergraduates in 2020, Northern State University is a small, public university located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. This is a great opportunity for those who would thrive in a charming, small-town atmosphere. Should you tire of the campus however, Northern State University offers a “study abroad” program. Please note, some classes/degrees offered by Northern State University can be taken “online” so keep that in mind when reviewing this report. For more context, you might also check out our Northern State University Guide to Distance and Online Learning.

Northern State University Has a Disability Services Site

Individuals with disabilities make up 4.0% of the student population at Northern State University. For more information on policies and accommodations that the university provides to ensure all students get the opportunity to participate, you can visit Northern State University Disability Services.

Northern State University for the Military

While not a "service academy", Northern State University does offer support for veterans and those seeking a career in the armed forces. For more information on policies related to veterans, you can visit Northern State University Veteran Services . For more information, check out our Northern State University for Veterans Guide.

Freshmen Living Arrangements at Northern State University

Northern State University offers on-campus housing, but freshmen are not required to take advantage of it. In the end though, most do choose to live in the dorms.

* Data compiled from students who received financial aid, including loans.

Full-time vs. Part-time Studies at Northern State University

Northern State University has a comparatively small, student body. There were 2,968 undergraduates in 2020. Full-time attendance was 1,149 (38.7%). Part-time attendance was 1,819 (61.3%).

Northern State University is Ranked #1,404 for Overall Diversity

Compared to other colleges and universities across the nation, Northern State University is about average in terms of overall diversity. We rank Northern State University #1404 out of 3,451.

The chart below shows each element that we looked at to determine this ranking, and how that metric compares to the national average. 100 would indicate excellent diversity in each category, and 1 would mean poor diversity.

You can learn more about the diversity of the student body at Northern State University by looking closer at the ethnic,  gender,  age, and geographic diversity metrics from the Northern State University Diversity Guide.

Northern State University Competes in the NCAA

Northern State University has a total of 397 student athletes, 241 men and 156 women who compete in inter-collegiate athletics.

Athletics Financing

For more information about athletics including per-team sizes, coaching and scholarships check out our Guide to Northern State University Athletics