ABERDEEN, S.D. – When it comes to keeping graduates in South Dakota, Northern State University continues to lead the pack.
Two-thirds of Northern graduates, or 66 percent, stay in the state to work or further their education. That’s the same figure reported by the S.D. Board of Regents’ Graduate Placement Dashboard two years ago – and it’s 13 percent more than the average among all regental institutions, which is 53 percent.
The BOR Graduate Placement Dashboard provides a comprehensive look at in-state graduate employment throughout the public university system over the last five years. For Northern, the dashboard shows that 66 percent of the university’s 2,217 graduates at the undergraduate and graduate level chose to live and work in South Dakota.
The top industries employing Northern’s graduates are educational services and health care/social assistance, with approximately 50 percent of alums obtaining jobs in these fields.
NSU President Dr. Tim Downs said the consistently high in-state placement numbers are a testament to Northern’s strong partnerships throughout the community, region and state.
“We’re proud of our students and the tremendous impact they have on the region’s workforce and economy,” Downs said. “We’re also grateful for our community and regional partners and the support they provide, allowing our graduates to find success right here in South Dakota.”
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.