AAMU vs. NSU

Deciding between Alabama A & M University and Norfolk State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Alabama A & M University
Norfolk State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AAMU Normal, AL
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • AAMU Midsize City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • AAMU 7,295
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • AAMU Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AAMU #1011
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AAMU -
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • AAMU Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AAMU
  • NSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AAMU $10,024
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AAMU $18,634
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • AAMU $11,402
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • AAMU $17,152
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AAMU $12,844
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AAMU 86%
  • NSU 75%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AAMU 23,406
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • AAMU 13,564
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AAMU 58%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • AAMU 14.5%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AAMU 930
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • AAMU 16
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • AAMU 3.02
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AAMU B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • AAMU Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • AAMU Low
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • AAMU 14/19
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • AAMU 810/1040
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AAMU Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AAMU
  • NSU May 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AAMU 19:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AAMU
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Human Services (6%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AAMU 32%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AAMU $34,300
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AAMU 25%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AAMU $35,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AAMU $361
  • NSU $320

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AAMU 41%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • AAMU 59%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AAMU Extremely Low
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • AAMU Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • AAMU 3%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • AAMU 0%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • AAMU 92%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • AAMU 1%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • AAMU 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AAMU 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AAMU 0%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • AAMU 1%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AAMU 3%
  • NSU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AAMU 45%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AAMU 54%
  • NSU 2%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AAMU Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AAMU No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • AAMU Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AAMU Yes
  • NSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • AAMU Yes
  • NSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

AAMU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than AAMU ($9,124 vs. $17,152).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 1.6% lower than at Norfolk State University ($11,402 vs. $11,591).
  • Norfolk State University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than AAMU (about $156 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $10,024.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at NSU than at Alabama A & M University (about $3,048 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $18,634.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alabama A & M University than at Norfolk State University (86% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Alabama A & M University students ($15,056 vs. $12,844).

AAMU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alabama A & M University (930) is the same as at NSU (930).
  • Incoming NSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at AAMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19; Norfolk State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman AAMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.02) than students at NSU (2.9).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than AAMU (58%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

AAMU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and NSU? 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).

  • Norfolk State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Alabama A & M University's (32%).
  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Norfolk State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($31,000 vs. $35,000).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($320 vs. $361).
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 25%)

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.