Arkansas State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Northern State University comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Northern State University College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Arkansas State University NSU
Location Jonesboro, AR Aberdeen, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,190 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $10,718
Room & Board $10,100 $9,150
Avg Net Price $12,011 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Arkansas State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 1,322
Admitted 4,202 1,033
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 78.1%
Enrolled % 31.5% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 980/1200 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Arkansas State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University NSU
Graduation Rate 38% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $201 $252

Diversity

Arkansas State University NSU
% Men 35% 37%
% Women 65% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 83%
% Black 14% 2%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Arkansas State University NSU
% In-State 81% 69%
% Out-of-State 12% 30%

Campus

Arkansas State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,190 students vs. 3,344 students)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or NSU?

  • Northern State University is 10.6% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $6,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.9% higher at Arkansas State University than Northern State University ($12,744.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than NSU ($12,011 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 10.4% lower than costs at Arkansas State University Main Campus ($9,150 vs. $10,100)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 96.4% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,225 vs. $5,715)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 64 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (42% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Northern State University earn on average $1,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,399)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($201 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/