CCSU vs. NSU

Should I go to Central Connecticut State University or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CCSU 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.

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Central Connecticut State University vs. Northern State University comparison
Central Connecticut State University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Central Connecticut State University
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Overview

CCSU NSU
Location New Britain, CT Aberdeen, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 9,468 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #540 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ccsu.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CCSU NSU
Tuition (In State) $6,470 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $10,718
Room & Board $12,464 $9,150
Avg Net Price $17,088 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 91%

Admission

CCSU NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,302 1,322
Admitted 5,601 1,033
Acceptance Rate 76.7% 78.1%
Enrolled % 22.4% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.37
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 940/1160 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 Aug 26, 2024

Academics

CCSU NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

CCSU NSU
Graduation Rate 47% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $232 $252

Diversity

CCSU NSU
% Men 51% 37%
% Women 49% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 83%
% Black 12% 2%
% Hispanic 13% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

CCSU NSU
% In-State 92% 69%
% Out-of-State 7% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Connecticut State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,468 students vs. 3,344 students)

CCSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or NSU?

  • Northern State University is 17.7% more expensive to attend than CCSU for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $6,470.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.6% higher at CCSU than Northern State University ($19,358.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than NSU ($17,088 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 36.2% lower than costs at Central Connecticut State University ($9,150 vs. $12,464)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Connecticut State University than Northern State University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Connecticut State University students is 8.7% larger than aid received Northern State University ($6,212 vs. $5,715)

CCSU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 13 points higher than at CCSU (1011)
  • Incoming CCSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at CCSU (3.2)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than CCSU (76.7%)

CCSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CCSU 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 CCSU.

  • The graduation rate at CCSU is higher than Northern State University (47% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn on average $11,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $1,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,399)
  • CCSU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($232 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

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