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UAFS University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus South Dakota State University Arkansas Arkansas State University Central USD UALR Northwest Pitt State Winona State University| Arkansas Tech University | Northern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
ATU | NSU | ||
| Location | Russellville, AR | Aberdeen, SD | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,487 | 3,521 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #927 | #871 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | atu.edu | northern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ATU | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,995 | $7,616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,989 | $10,718 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,852 | $10,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,443 | $16,873 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,680 | $5,565 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 93% |
Admission |
ATU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,904 | 1,082 | ||
| Admitted | 4,722 | 1,004 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.3% | 92.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.1% | 31.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.37 | 3.37 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1150 | 800/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline |
Academics |
ATU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
ATU | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,100 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,750 | $24,399 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $183 | $252 |
Diversity |
ATU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 4% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
ATU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 28% | ||
Campus |
ATU | NSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Arkansas Tech University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,487 students vs. 3,521 students)
ATU vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ATU or NSU?
- Northern State University is 27% more expensive to attend than ATU for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $5,995.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11.9% higher at ATU than Northern State University ($11,989.00 vs. $10,718.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than NSU ($11,443 vs. $16,873)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 4.5% lower than costs at Northern State University ($9,852 vs. $10,300)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas Tech University as Northern State University (93% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 73.9% larger than aid received Northern State University ($9,680 vs. $5,565)
ATU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ATU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or ATU .
- Accepted freshman ATU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.37) as students at NSU (3.37)
- ATU has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than NSU (92.8%)
ATU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ATU 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 ATU.
- The graduation rate at ATU is higher than Northern State University (43% vs. 42%)
- Graduates from Northern State University earn on average $300 more per year than ATU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $37,100)
- Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a $6,649 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($17,750 vs. $24,399)
- ATU graduates are paying $69 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($183 vs. $252)
- More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU 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/