Ferrum College vs. NSU

Ferrum College and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Ferrum College
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NSU (87.8% admitted vs 89%). Typical SAT 930 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $20,082 at Ferrum College.
  • Graduation: Ferrum College 31% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Ferrum College $39,000 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Ferrum College Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
NSU more selective
Ferrum College89%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Ferrum College higher
Ferrum College880-1100
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $10,958 less
Ferrum College$20,082
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $18,340 less
Ferrum College$28,520
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $6,838 less
Ferrum College$28,520
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
NSU +2 pts
Ferrum College31%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Ferrum College +$2,300
Ferrum College$39,000
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Ferrum College 1,787
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Ferrum College 1,590
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Ferrum College 89%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Ferrum College 11.5%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Ferrum College 990
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Ferrum College
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Ferrum College 3.14
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Ferrum College B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Ferrum College Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Ferrum College
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Ferrum College 880-1100
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Ferrum College
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Ferrum College Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Ferrum College $28,520
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Ferrum College $28,520
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Ferrum College $13,230
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Ferrum College $20,082
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Ferrum College $34,444
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Ferrum College 98%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Ferrum College 31%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Ferrum College $39,000
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Ferrum College 49%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Ferrum College $28,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Ferrum College $289
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Ferrum College 11:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Ferrum College
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Ferrum College Ferrum, VA
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Ferrum College Distant Rural
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Ferrum College 763
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Ferrum College Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Ferrum College
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA 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 Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 763 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Ferrum College is located in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferrum College 11:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 12.4% lower than at Ferrum College ($11,591 vs. $13,230).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at Ferrum College than at Norfolk State University (about $6,838 more per year; $28,520 vs. $21,682).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Norfolk State University (98% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 128.8% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($34,444 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Ferrum College and NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Ferrum College average a 3.14 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at NSU (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Ferrum College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferrum College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($28,000 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Ferrum College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($289 vs. $320).
  • More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (49% 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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