NSU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; Messenger College 8:1.

NSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Messenger College? 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 Northeastern State University than Messenger College ($12,410 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 16.4% lower than at Messenger College ($11,120 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 48.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,810 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at NSU than at Messenger College (about $5,670 more per year; $17,290.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messenger College than at Northeastern State University (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern State University students is 125.7% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($8,893 vs. $3,940).

NSU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

NSU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Messenger College? 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).

• Northeastern State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 40%)

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.