Arkansas State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University than NSU ($12,410 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 8.2% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,600 vs. $11,550).
• Northern State University is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $755 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Arkansas State University than at Northern State University (about $2,575 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University as at Northern State University (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 108% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($13,395 vs. $6,441).

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Arkansas State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Arkansas State University (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Northern State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($201 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.