NSU vs. USAO

Northeastern State University and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northeastern State University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: USAO (65.8% admitted vs 99.6%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: USAO. Average net price is $8,070 vs $12,410 at NSU.
  • Graduation: NSU 26% vs USAO 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NSU $40,200 vs USAO $36,100 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern State University University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Acceptance rate
USAO more selective
NSU99.6%
USAO65.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
USAO higher
NSU866-1136
USAO1090-1280
Average net price
USAO $4,340 less
NSU$12,410
USAO$8,070
In-state tuition
NSU $1,190 less
NSU$7,810
USAO$9,000
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $2,900 less
NSU$17,290
USAO$20,190
Graduation rate
USAO +13 pts
NSU26%
USAO39%
Median earnings (10 years)
NSU +$4,100
NSU$40,200
USAO$36,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NSU 1,727
  • USAO 980
  • Admitted
  • NSU 1,720
  • USAO 645
  • Acceptance rate
  • NSU 99.6%
  • USAO 65.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NSU 39%
  • USAO 35.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NSU 1000
  • USAO 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • NSU 20
  • USAO 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • NSU 3.49
  • USAO 3.43
  • Typical high school grades
  • NSU B+
  • USAO B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • USAO Average
  • Applicant competition
  • NSU
  • USAO Low
  • SAT range
  • NSU 866-1136
  • USAO 1090-1280
  • ACT range
  • NSU 18-23
  • USAO 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • NSU Test optional
  • USAO Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NSU
  • USAO Sep 2, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NSU $7,810
  • USAO $9,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NSU $17,290
  • USAO $20,190
  • Room & board
  • NSU $11,120
  • USAO $10,940
  • Average net price
  • NSU $12,410
  • USAO $8,070
  • Average grant aid
  • NSU $8,893
  • USAO $13,068
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NSU 83%
  • USAO 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • NSU 26%
  • USAO 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NSU $40,200
  • USAO $36,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • NSU 48%
  • USAO 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NSU $18,000
  • USAO N/A
  • Median loan payment
  • NSU $186
  • USAO N/A
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NSU 16:1
  • USAO 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • NSU
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • USAO
    • Business (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • NSU Tahlequah, OK
  • USAO Chickasha, OK
  • Setting
  • NSU Remote Town
  • USAO Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NSU 6,751
  • USAO 1,027
  • Type
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • USAO Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NSU #1039
  • USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northeastern State University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 1,027 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
  • Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 1.6% lower than at Northeastern State University ($10,940 vs. $11,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at USAO than at Northeastern State University (about $2,900 more per year; $20,190 vs. $17,290).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Northeastern State University (98% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 46.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($13,068 vs. $8,893).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at USAO than at NSU (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NSU and USAO.
  • Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NSU average a 3.49 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at USAO (3.43).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

Loans and repayment

  • More USAO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (54% 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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