The Catholic University of America vs. NSU

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Norfolk State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America
Norfolk State University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • NSU 75%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • NSU $320

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • NSU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • NSU 2%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • NSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • NSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than The Catholic University of America based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 5,243 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 Norfolk State University than The Catholic University of America ($9,124 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 36.3% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($11,591 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 473.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $48,198 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $10,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 169.2% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Norfolk State University (about $36,696 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $21,682.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Norfolk State University (99% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 183.3% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($42,657 vs. $15,056).

The Catholic University of America vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and The Catholic University of America.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorfolk State University 823/1030.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorfolk State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NSU (2.9).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 13.2% at NSU.

The Catholic University of America vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and NSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $4,894 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($26,106 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($269 vs. $320).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.