NSU vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

NSU vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or SCU? 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 SCU ($12,410 vs. $20,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 9.2% lower than at Northeastern State University ($10,100 vs. $11,120).
• Southwestern Christian University is 180.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $14,090 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at SCU than at Northeastern State University (about $4,610 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at Northeastern State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Christian University students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($12,784 vs. $8,893).

NSU vs. SCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or SCU? 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 SCU 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; SCU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at SCU (3.22).

NSU vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and SCU? 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).

• Southwestern Christian University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $27,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($18,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($186 vs. $279).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 38%)

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.