NSU vs. Central Washington University

Northeastern State University and Central Washington University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northeastern State University
Central Washington University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central Washington University (90.6% admitted vs 99.6%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $12,410 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Graduation: NSU 26% vs Central Washington University 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NSU $40,200 vs Central Washington University $47,800 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
NSU99.6%
Central Washington University90.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Central Washington University higher
NSU866-1136
Central Washington University930-1150
Average net price
NSU $7,488 less
NSU$12,410
Central Washington University$19,898
In-state tuition
NSU $1,607 less
NSU$7,810
Central Washington University$9,417
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $10,236 less
NSU$17,290
Central Washington University$27,526
Graduation rate
Central Washington University +30 pts
NSU26%
Central Washington University56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central Washington University +$7,600
NSU$40,200
Central Washington University$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NSU 1,727
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Admitted
  • NSU 1,720
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • NSU 99.6%
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NSU 39%
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NSU 1000
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • NSU 20
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • NSU 3.49
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • NSU B+
  • Central Washington University B
  • Admissions standards
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NSU
  • Central Washington University
  • SAT range
  • NSU 866-1136
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • ACT range
  • NSU 18-23
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • NSU Test optional
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NSU
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NSU $7,810
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NSU $17,290
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Room & board
  • NSU $11,120
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Average net price
  • NSU $12,410
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Average grant aid
  • NSU $8,893
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NSU 83%
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Graduation rate
  • NSU 26%
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NSU $40,200
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • NSU 48%
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NSU $18,000
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Median loan payment
  • NSU $186
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NSU 16:1
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • NSU
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Location
  • NSU Tahlequah, OK
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Setting
  • NSU Remote Town
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NSU 6,751
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Type
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NSU #1039
  • Central Washington University #621

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 6,751 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 32.5% lower than at Central Washington University ($11,120 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 59.2% higher at Central Washington University than at Northeastern State University (about $10,236 more per year; $27,526 vs. $17,290).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Northeastern State University (85% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern State University students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($8,893 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Central Washington University (20).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NSU, test-free at Central Washington University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NSU average a 3.49 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $2,737 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($18,000 vs. $20,737).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($186 vs. $214).
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 48%).

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

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