Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Aberdeen

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
McGregor HouseMcGregor House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0
Colleges in and near Aberdeen

Aberdeen is home to Northern State University

Northern State University (1,912 students on campus) is inside the city. About 6% of Aberdeen’s residents are enrolled in college, above South Dakota (5%).

Northern State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Aberdeen. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
1,912 students on campus
Nearest college
1.3 mi
Northern State
Residents in college
6%
Above SD (5%)
Nearest community college
77.3 mi
Lake Area Technical College · $6,718 tuition
Nearest public university
1.3 mi
Northern State · $8,845 in-state
Median household income
$64K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Aberdeen

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in AberdeenNorthern State University has 1,912 students on campus in Aberdeen, 49% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Northern StateLiving in South Dakota, Northern State University charges $8,845 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $11,947. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 77.3 miles awayLake Area Technical College in Watertown: tuition and fees $6,718 a year for South Dakota residents.Students are 6% of residentsAbove South Dakota (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Aberdeen

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Aberdeen.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorthern StateAberdeen
University or collegeCommunity college
Northern State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 1,912 on campus · In Aberdeen93%admitted$16knet price49%graduate$48kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Aberdeen’s median household income ($64,405) falls.

Northern State UniversityIn Aberdeen · sticker $22,077$15,293a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Aberdeen: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Northern State
Northern State University49% graduate$48k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Aberdeen

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Northern State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Education 21%Business 21%Biology 18%Liberal arts 11%Psychology 8%Public safety 6%Everything else 16%

Biggest programs

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods35 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness30 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations26 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services20 graduates a year
$67k4 yrs out
Biology, General18 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Psychology, General14 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Sociology13 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Aberdeen

Is Aberdeen a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Aberdeen residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above South Dakota (5). The largest campus in the city, Northern State University, has 1,912 students on campus.

What colleges are in Aberdeen?

Northern State University is inside the city. Lake Area Technical College is 77.3 miles away in Watertown.

What is the closest community college to Aberdeen, and what does it cost?

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, 77.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,718 a year for South Dakota residents; the federal net price, $15,979, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Northern State University cost if we live in South Dakota?

Tuition and fees are $8,845 a year in-state and $11,947 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,762 (under $30,000 income) to $17,933 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Aberdeen. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →