JCSU vs. NSU

Johnson C Smith University and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Johnson C Smith University
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCSU (45.2% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 890 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $19,705 at JCSU.
  • Graduation: JCSU 37% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: JCSU $30,300 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Johnson C Smith University Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
JCSU more selective
JCSU45.2%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
JCSU800-980
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $10,581 less
JCSU$19,705
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $11,120 less
JCSU$21,300
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
JCSU $382 less
JCSU$21,300
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
JCSU +4 pts
JCSU37%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
NSU +$6,400
JCSU$30,300
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • JCSU 6,820
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • JCSU 3,083
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • JCSU 45.2%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • JCSU 12.8%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JCSU 890
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • JCSU 15
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • JCSU 2.48
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • JCSU C+
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • JCSU Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • JCSU Low
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • JCSU 800-980
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • JCSU 13-18
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • JCSU Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • JCSU
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • JCSU $21,300
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • JCSU $21,300
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • JCSU $8,600
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • JCSU $19,705
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • JCSU $15,238
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • JCSU 93%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • JCSU 37%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • JCSU $30,300
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • JCSU 26%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • JCSU $32,050
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • JCSU $331
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • JCSU 12:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • JCSU
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • JCSU Charlotte, NC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • JCSU Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • JCSU 1,302
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • JCSU Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • JCSU #967
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC 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 JCSU based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,302 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 25.8% lower than at Norfolk State University ($8,600 vs. $11,591).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at NSU than at Johnson C Smith University (about $382 more per year; $21,682 vs. $21,300).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Norfolk State University (93% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($15,238 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at NSU than at JCSU (19 vs. 15, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at JCSU, test optional at NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NSU average a 2.9 high school GPA, 0.42 higher than at JCSU (2.48).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Norfolk State University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($31,000 vs. $32,050).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($320 vs. $331).
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation (27% vs. 26%).

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

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