Alcorn State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Alcorn State University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alcorn State University or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alcorn State University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Alcorn State University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Alcorn State University Norfolk State University
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Overview

Alcorn State University NSU
Location Alcorn State, MS Norfolk, VA
Setting Distant Rural Midsize City
Enrollment 2,933 5,783
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #997 #1008
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alcorn.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alcorn State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $7,869 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $7,869 $16,920
Room & Board $10,255 $10,844
Avg Net Price $14,864 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $10,386 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Alcorn State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,748 8,884
Admitted 2,020 7,951
Acceptance Rate 29.9% 89.5%
Enrolled % 24.7% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 15/24 15/20
SAT Range 903/1115 840/1040
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2025

Academics

Alcorn State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Alcorn State University NSU
Graduation Rate 33% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,600 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 34% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,250 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $292 $320

Diversity

Alcorn State University NSU
% Men 32% 33%
% Women 68% 67%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 5%
% Black 93% 84%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Alcorn State University NSU
% In-State 70% 65%
% Out-of-State 30% 31%

Campus

Alcorn State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Alcorn State University based on total student enrollment (5,783 students vs. 2,933 students)

Alcorn State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alcorn State University or NSU?

  • Alcorn State University is 36.8% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,869.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 115% higher at NSU than Alcorn State University ($16,920.00 vs. $7,869.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Alcorn State University ($14,652 vs. $14,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alcorn State University are 5.7% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($10,255 vs. $10,844)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alcorn State University than Norfolk State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 17.1% larger than aid received Alcorn State University ($12,164 vs. $10,386)

Alcorn State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alcorn State University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Alcorn State University .

  • The average SAT score at Alcorn State University (871) is 63 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Alcorn State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Alcorn State University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Alcorn State University (29.9%)

Alcorn State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alcorn State University or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and Alcorn State University.

  • The graduation rate at Alcorn State University is the same as at Norfolk State University (33% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $33,600)
  • Alcorn State University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($28,250 vs. $31,000)
  • Alcorn State University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($292 vs. $320)
  • More Alcorn State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/