2026 Rankings for Northern State University

Which College Factual rankings and awards has NSU received from College Factual? Every College Factual accolade NSU has earned will be listed on this page.

NSU was awarded 24 ranking badges in College Factual’s 2026 analysis.

Top Rankings for NSU:



#30 out of 109	#30 out of 104	#31 out of 104	#40 out of 114

NSU has graduate offerings as well. View its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/northern-state-university/rankings/) for its graduate rankings.

How NSU Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

#1380 Best Colleges

#1 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota

Top Ranked Majors

NSU has 156 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Physical Education Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	2	View Report
Best Music Education Schools in South Dakota	2	2	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	3	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	4	View Report
Best Educational Administration Schools in South Dakota	3	3	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	6	View Report
Best Sports Management Schools in South Dakota	3	3	View Report
Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	4	8	View Report
Best Elementary Education Schools in South Dakota	4	10	View Report
Best Accounting Schools in South Dakota	5	5	View Report
Best Accounting Schools in South Dakota	5	6	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	5	11	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	5	11	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in South Dakota	5	6	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	5	10	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in South Dakota	5	11	View Report
Best Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	5	10	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	6	7	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in South Dakota	6	7	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	6	7	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in South Dakota	6	7	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Schools in South Dakota	6	13	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Schools in South Dakota	6	14	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	6	12	View Report
Best Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in the Plains States Region	6	6	View Report
Best Education Schools in South Dakota	6	11	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	6	8	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	6	8	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	7	8	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota	7	8	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Dakota	7	8	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in South Dakota	8	9	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools in South Dakota	9	17	View Report
Best Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	10	12	View Report
Best Music Education Schools in the Plains States Region	18	21	View Report
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region	27	34	View Report
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region	27	34	View Report
Best Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools	30	35	View Report
Best Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	31	42	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	36	65	View Report
Best Sports Management Schools in the Plains States Region	36	46	View Report
Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	42	96	View Report
Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region	45	107	View Report
Best Educational Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	46	49	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	47	84	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	47	112	View Report
Best Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	49	124	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	53	137	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	59	101	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	60	112	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	61	104	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region	61	115	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	66	109	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region	71	124	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	72	76	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	73	79	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	81	103	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	85	108	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	90	109	View Report
Best Accounting Schools in the Plains States Region	92	97	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	94	114	View Report
Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region	97	171	View Report
Best Accounting Schools in the Plains States Region	99	107	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	101	130	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	107	139	View Report
Best Music Education Schools	130	155	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	132	160	View Report
Best Physical Education Schools	144	186	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Plains States Region	152	189	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Plains States Region	161	201	View Report
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools	192	240	View Report
Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools	192	240	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the Plains States Region	199	236	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools	219	398	View Report
Best Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools	243	333	View Report
Best Sports Management Schools	298	384	View Report
Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools	314	579	View Report
Best Elementary Education Schools	363	693	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools	372	554	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools	409	797	View Report
Best Educational Administration Schools	421	486	View Report
Best Education Bachelor's Degree Schools	500	970	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools	511	1035	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools	517	1060	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools	552	758	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools	557	1211	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools	569	1208	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools	569	785	View Report
Best General Biology Schools	573	1257	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools	616	689	View Report
Best Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools	631	718	View Report
Best Accounting Schools	741	820	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Schools	745	943	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools	766	972	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools	890	1213	View Report
Best Education Schools	911	1574	View Report

How NSU Ranks for Value

Top Placement in Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking

#736 out of 2,000.

This makes NSU a top 10% value school for students seeking value.

The Best Colleges for the Money Ranking highlights colleges offering the best return on investment.

Top Value Majors

NSU has 156 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	7	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Schools in South Dakota	1	7	View Report
Best Value General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	7	View Report
Best Value General Biology Schools in South Dakota	1	7	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	8	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in South Dakota	1	9	View Report
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in South Dakota	1	1	View Report
Best Value Educational Administration Schools in South Dakota	1	3	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	2	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Schools in South Dakota	1	2	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	3	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in South Dakota	1	3	View Report
Best Value History Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	2	View Report
Best Value History Education Schools in South Dakota	1	2	View Report
Best Value Mathematics Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	3	View Report
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in South Dakota	1	3	View Report
Best Value Music Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	5	View Report
Best Value Music Education Schools in South Dakota	1	5	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	1	6	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in South Dakota	1	6	View Report
Best Value Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	2	4	View Report
Best Value Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	2	4	View Report
Best Value Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	2	10	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	2	2	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Schools in South Dakota	2	2	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	2	5	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Schools in South Dakota	2	5	View Report
Best Value Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in the Plains States Region	3	10	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	10	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Schools in South Dakota	3	11	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	10	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in South Dakota	3	11	View Report
Best Value Education Schools in South Dakota	3	11	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	8	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota	3	8	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	3	8	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Dakota	3	8	View Report
Best Value Accounting Schools in South Dakota	4	6	View Report
Best Value Accounting Schools in South Dakota	4	6	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	4	11	View Report
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	4	12	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota	5	11	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in South Dakota	6	13	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in South Dakota	7	13	View Report
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in South Dakota	8	16	View Report
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region	12	32	View Report
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region	12	32	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	12	34	View Report
Best Value History Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	13	23	View Report
Best Value History Education Schools in the Plains States Region	13	23	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	14	36	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	15	31	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Plains States Region	17	33	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	19	40	View Report
Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	20	48	View Report
Best Value Art Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	20	40	View Report
Best Value Mathematics Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	20	43	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Plains States Region	21	44	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	21	73	View Report
Best Value Art Education Schools in the Plains States Region	22	42	View Report
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the Plains States Region	22	49	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	23	52	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Plains States Region	23	75	View Report
Best Value Music Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	24	59	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in the Plains States Region	26	57	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	27	64	View Report
Best Value Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools	28	68	View Report
Best Value Music Education Schools in the Plains States Region	29	66	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	30	104	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	30	109	View Report
Best Value General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	31	104	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	33	103	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	35	108	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	35	110	View Report
Best Value Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	37	76	View Report
Best Value Accounting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	37	77	View Report
Best Value Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	37	121	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	37	108	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	38	109	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	40	114	View Report
Best Value General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region	41	114	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	41	83	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region	42	121	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	42	114	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	50	135	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	50	136	View Report
Best Value History Education Bachelor's Degree Schools	51	106	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region	51	127	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	56	135	View Report
Best Value Accounting Schools in the Plains States Region	57	99	View Report
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	58	157	View Report
Best Value Accounting Schools in the Plains States Region	61	105	View Report
Best Value History Education Schools	62	122	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Bachelor's Degree Schools	69	160	View Report
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region	75	167	View Report
Best Value Biology Education Schools	86	190	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Plains States Region	102	192	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in the Plains States Region	103	197	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

College Factual’s rankings are drawn from U.S. Department of Education data, 2026 edition.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.