CSU Stanislaus vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, CA with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Stanislaus is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,724 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Stanislaus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Stanislaus 18:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus 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 California State University Stanislaus than NSU ($7,433 vs. $9,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 11.7% lower than at California State University Stanislaus ($11,591 vs. $13,126).
• Norfolk State University is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $1,934 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at NSU than at California State University Stanislaus (about $836 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $20,846.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Stanislaus than at Norfolk State University (86% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by California State University Stanislaus students ($15,056 vs. $12,492).

CSU Stanislaus vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus 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 CSU Stanislaus.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026; NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Stanislaus students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NSU (2.9).
• CSU Stanislaus has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 13.2% at NSU.

CSU Stanislaus vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus 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).

• California State University Stanislaus's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($155 vs. $320).
• More CSU Stanislaus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 27%)

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.