Our admissions team would love to help you find a place in our pack, so if you don't meet the following requirements, please contact the NSU Admissions Office at 1-800-678-5330 or admissions@northern.edu to discuss your prospective application! Apply now!
Is the ACT or SAT required for admittance to Northern?
No, you may be admitted without an ACT or SAT score. We offer multiple criteria that allow us to admit students to Northern State University. Some options require ACCUPLACER placement testing.
Some scholarships do require an ACT or SAT score. Please contact admissions@northern.edu with questions.
Applicants to Northern can be admitted by one of the following criteria:
- Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (redesigned SAT score of 960, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above; OR
- Obtain a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale; OR
- Rank in the top sixty (60) percent of their high school graduating class.
Applicants to Northern may also meet either the Smarter Balanced or curriculum requirements as outlined below:
- Smarter Balanced: Achieve a Level 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced assessments.
- Curriculum: Meet the minimum course requirements with an average grade of “C” or higher (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale);
- OR demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas where course requirements have not been met; AND
- Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (redesigned SAT score of 960, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above; OR
- Obtain a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale; OR
- Rank in the top sixty (60) percent of their high school graduating class.
- OR demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas where course requirements have not been met; AND
- The minimum course requirements – and alternate criteria – are:
- Four years of English; OR
- ACT English subtest score of 18 or above; OR
- AP English language and composition or English literature and composition scores of 3 or above.
- Three years of advanced mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other advanced mathematics, including accelerated or honors mathematics provided at the eighth- grade level; not included are arithmetic, business, consumer, or general mathematics or other similar courses); OR
- ACT math subtest score of 20 or above; OR
- AP calculus AB or BC score of 3 or above.
- Three years of laboratory science (courses in biology, chemistry, physics or other approved science courses in which there is a weekly lab period scheduled); OR
- ACT science/reasoning subtest score of 17 or above; OR
- AP biology, chemistry or physics B score of 3 or above.
- Three years of social science; OR
- ACT social studies/reading subtest score of 17 or above; OR
- AP microeconomics, macroeconomics, comparative or United States government or policies, European or United States history, or psychology score of 3 or above.
- One year of fine arts; OR
- AP history of art, studio art drawing or general portfolio, or music theory score of 3 or above.
- Four years of English; OR
The entire South Dakota Board of Regents undergraduate admissions policy (including non-traditional and transfer students) can be seen on the Policy Manual.
Join the Pack
Application Process
Complete Applications and Submit Transcript
Submit official transcript - Contact your high school and any post-secondary schools you've attended to request an official transcript be mailed directly to NSU Admissions.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
NSU’s school code is 003466. The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov starting October 1, with a priority deadline of March 1. Award offers showing your federal aid eligibility will be mailed beginning in early spring.
Take the ACT and/or SAT Tests
List Northern State University (ACT code 3916/SAT code 6487) to request that your test scores be sent directly to us. While you may be admitted without a standardized test score, we offer multiple scholarships that require an ACT or SAT score.
Check Your Eligibility
Visit Transfer Student Registration and view the transfer student checklist.
Send Us Your Transcript
Send official transcripts from all schools you've attended to NSU Admissions.
Check for Credit Transfer
Determine how your credits may transfer with our Transfer Credit Calculator.
Visit our International Students Page
Start your journey to becoming an international student at Northern by visiting our International Students webpage, which lists all your requirements and includes links to apply!
Talk To Us
If you've taken college classes in the past - but didn't complete a degree - you can finish on campus or online. We will work with you on a program evaluation to determine which courses will complete your degree. Visit the Returning Students page to learn more!
Learn the Requirements
Application requirements vary according to your student status: degree-seeking, international, non-degree-seeking, provisional or undergraduate. See the Graduate Admission page for details!