CSU vs. NWOSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than NWOSU based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 2,079 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northwestern Oklahoma State University is in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1.

CSU vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or NWOSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than NWOSU ($10,441 vs. $10,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 50.5% lower than at Chicago State University ($5,720 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 113.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $6,784 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at CSU than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $1,090 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 101.9% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($18,194 vs. $9,011).

CSU vs. NWOSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or NWOSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NWOSU and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (920) is 60 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming NWOSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; NWOSU - Required.
• Accepted freshman NWOSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CSU (3.18).
• NWOSU has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 38.7% at NWOSU.

CSU vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and NWOSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $16,935 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($14,315 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($148 vs. $323).
• More NWOSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.