Humboldt State University vs. NSU

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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CSU Sonoma State University San Francisco State CSUMB UCSC USC Sacramento State UC Davis Cal Poly UC Merced San Jose State San Diego State
Humboldt State University vs. Northern State University comparison
Humboldt State University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Humboldt State University NSU
Location Arcata, CA Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 6,025 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $10,718
Room & Board $12,540 $9,150
Avg Net Price $14,325 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 91%

Admission

Humboldt State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 1,322
Admitted 8,350 1,033
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 78.1%
Enrolled % 11.5% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 18/24
SAT Range 970/1190 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2024

Academics

Humboldt State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University NSU
Graduation Rate 40% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $201 $252

Diversity

Humboldt State University NSU
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 83%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 33% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Humboldt State University NSU
% In-State 91% 69%
% Out-of-State 8% 30%

Campus

Humboldt State University 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

  • Humboldt State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (6,025 students vs. 3,344 students)

Humboldt State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern State University is 32.6% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.4% higher at Humboldt State University than Northern State University ($17,622.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than NSU ($14,325 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 37% lower than costs at Humboldt State University ($9,150 vs. $12,540)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern State University than Humboldt State University (91% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 62.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($9,262 vs. $5,715)

Humboldt State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 34 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than NSU (78.1%)

Humboldt State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt 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 Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Humboldt State University (42% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Humboldt State University earn on average $1,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $4,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,399)
  • Humboldt 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 Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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