NSU vs. Central Washington University

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

Northern State University
Central Washington University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central Washington University (90.6% admitted vs 93%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $15,990 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Graduation: NSU 42% vs Central Washington University 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NSU $37,400 vs Central Washington University $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

Northern State University Central Washington University
Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
NSU93%
Central Washington University90.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
NSU980-1160
Central Washington University930-1150
Average net price
NSU $3,908 less
NSU$15,990
Central Washington University$19,898
In-state tuition
NSU $572 less
NSU$8,845
Central Washington University$9,417
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $15,579 less
NSU$11,947
Central Washington University$27,526
Graduation rate
Central Washington University +14 pts
NSU42%
Central Washington University56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central Washington University +$10,400
NSU$37,400
Central Washington University$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NSU 1,086
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Admitted
  • NSU 1,010
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • NSU 93%
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NSU 35.2%
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NSU 1070
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • NSU 21
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • NSU 3.37
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • NSU B+
  • Central Washington University B
  • Admissions standards
  • NSU Very Easy
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NSU
  • Central Washington University
  • SAT range
  • NSU 980-1160
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • ACT range
  • NSU 18-24
  • 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 $8,845
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NSU $11,947
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Room & board
  • NSU $10,600
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Average net price
  • NSU $15,990
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Average grant aid
  • NSU $6,441
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NSU 97%
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Graduation rate
  • NSU 42%
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NSU $37,400
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • NSU 63%
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NSU $24,399
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Median loan payment
  • NSU $252
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NSU 19:1
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • NSU
    • Business (35%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Biology (4%)
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Location
  • NSU Aberdeen, SD
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Setting
  • NSU Remote Town
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NSU 3,708
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Type
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NSU #921
  • Central Washington University #621

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD 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. 3,708 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northern 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: Northern State University 19:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 35.7% lower than at Central Washington University ($10,600 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 130.4% higher at Central Washington University than at Northern State University (about $15,579 more per year; $27,526 vs. $11,947).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Central Washington University (97% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,816 vs. $6,441).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at NSU than at Central Washington University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • 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 3.37 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $3,662 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,737 vs. $24,399).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($214 vs. $252).
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 60%).

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

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