Carlow University vs. NSU

Should I go to Carlow University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carlow 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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Carlow University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Carlow University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Carlow University Norfolk State University
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Overview

Carlow University NSU
Location Pittsburgh, PA Norfolk, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,104 5,783
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #752 #1008
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carlow.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carlow University NSU
Tuition (In State) $32,402 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $32,402 $16,920
Room & Board $13,014 $10,844
Avg Net Price $17,437 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $26,713 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

Carlow University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,124 8,884
Admitted 1,042 7,951
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 89.5%
Enrolled % 19.1% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 850/1100 840/1040
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 May 31, 2025

Academics

Carlow University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Carlow University NSU
Graduation Rate 51% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,900 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $320

Diversity

Carlow University NSU
% Men 14% 33%
% Women 86% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 61% 5%
% Black 22% 84%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 3%

Students

Carlow University NSU
% In-State 88% 65%
% Out-of-State 11% 31%

Campus

Carlow 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 Carlow University based on total student enrollment (5,783 students vs. 2,104 students)

Carlow University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carlow University or NSU?

  • Carlow University is 463.3% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($32,402.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.5% higher at Carlow University than Norfolk State University ($32,402.00 vs. $16,920.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Carlow University ($14,652 vs. $17,437)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 20% lower than costs at Carlow University ($10,844 vs. $13,014)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carlow University than Norfolk State University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 119.6% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($26,713 vs. $12,164)

Carlow University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Carlow University (972) is 164 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Carlow University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than NSU (89.5%)

Carlow University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carlow 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 Carlow University.

  • The graduation rate at Carlow University is higher than Norfolk State University (51% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Carlow University earn on average $5,200 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $36,700)
  • Carlow University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($27,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Carlow University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($279 vs. $320)
  • More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 27%)

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