Allen University vs. NSU

Should I go to Allen University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Allen 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Allen University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Allen University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Allen University Norfolk State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Allen University NSU
Location Columbia, SC Norfolk, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 677 6,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #999
Religious Affiliation African Methodist Episcopal - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website allenuniversity.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Allen University NSU
Tuition (In State) $12,540 $5,926
Tuition (Out of State) $12,540 $17,428
Room & Board $8,584 $11,692
Avg Net Price $11,058 $12,272
Avg Grant Aid $13,755 $11,153
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 97%

Admission

Allen University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,658 10,211
Admitted 1,175 8,931
Acceptance Rate 32.1%Open 87.5%
Enrolled % 14.5%Open 16.8%
Avg High School GPA - 2.9
Typical High School Grades - B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 840/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026 May 31, 2026

Academics

Allen University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Social Sciences (24%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Allen University NSU
Graduation Rate - 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $24,300 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 13% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $37,119 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $383 $320

Diversity

Allen University NSU
% Men 3% 3%
% Women 3% 5%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 5%
% Black 98% 84%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Allen University NSU
% In-State 56% 65%
% Out-of-State 44% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Allen University based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 677 students)

Allen University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allen University or NSU?

  • Allen University is 111.6% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($12,540.00 vs. $5,926.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39% higher at NSU than Allen University ($17,428.00 vs. $12,540.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Allen University than NSU ($11,058 vs. $12,272)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allen University are 36.2% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($8,584 vs. $11,692)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Allen University as Norfolk State University (97% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Allen University students is 23.3% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($13,755 vs. $11,153)

Allen University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Allen University (32.1%)

Allen University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Allen 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 Allen University.

  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn on average $12,400 more per year than Allen University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $24,300)
  • Norfolk State University students graduate with a $6,119 lower median federal student loan debt than Allen University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $37,119)
  • NSU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Allen University graduates. ($320 vs. $383)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allen University students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 13%)

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