The Catholic University of America vs. NSU

The Catholic University of America and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

The Catholic University of America
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: The Catholic University of America (82.8% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $32,705 at The Catholic University of America.
  • Graduation: The Catholic University of America 68% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: The Catholic University of America $58,600 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

The Catholic University of America Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
The Catholic University of America more selective
The Catholic University of America82.8%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
The Catholic University of America-
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $23,581 less
The Catholic University of America$32,705
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $48,198 less
The Catholic University of America$58,378
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $36,696 less
The Catholic University of America$58,378
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
The Catholic University of America +35 pts
The Catholic University of America68%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
The Catholic University of America +$21,900
The Catholic University of America$58,600
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Norfolk State University is larger than The Catholic University of America based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 5,243 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 36.3% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($11,591 vs. $18,200).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 169.2% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Norfolk State University (about $36,696 more per year; $58,378 vs. $21,682).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Norfolk State University (99% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 183.3% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($42,657 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at The Catholic University of America, test optional at NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at The Catholic University of America average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.62 higher than at NSU (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $4,894 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($26,106 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($269 vs. $320).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 27%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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