NSU vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Norfolk State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

NSU vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Parkside? 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 Norfolk State University than Parkside ($9,124 vs. $10,234).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 24.5% lower than at Norfolk State University ($8,750 vs. $11,591).
• Norfolk State University is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $1,910 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at NSU than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $4,253 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (75% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 98.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($15,056 vs. $7,598).

NSU vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Parkside? 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 Parkside and NSU.

• Incoming Parkside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 16/22; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at NSU vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

NSU vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Parkside? 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).

• Norfolk State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $8,035 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,965 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 27%)

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.