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SCSU University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus ECSU UConn UHart WestConn Quinnipiac UNH Westfield State University USJ University of Southern Maine SHU| Central Connecticut State University | Northern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CCSU | NSU | ||
| Location | New Britain, CT | Aberdeen, SD | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,468 | 3,344 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #540 | #820 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ccsu.edu | northern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CCSU | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,470 | $7,616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $19,358 | $10,718 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,464 | $9,150 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,088 | $17,264 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,212 | $5,715 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 91% |
Admission |
CCSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,302 | 1,322 | ||
| Admitted | 5,601 | 1,033 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.7% | 78.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22.4% | 28.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.2 | 3.37 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1160 | 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 | Aug 26, 2025 |
Academics |
CCSU | NSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CCSU | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 47% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $49,000 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $24,399 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $252 |
Diversity |
CCSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 51% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 49% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 65% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 13% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 0% |
Students |
CCSU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 69% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 7% | 30% | ||
Campus |
CCSU | NSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Central Connecticut State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,468 students vs. 3,344 students)
CCSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CCSU or NSU?
- Northern State University is 17.7% more expensive to attend than CCSU for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $6,470.00)
- Out of state tuition is 80.6% higher at CCSU than Northern State University ($19,358.00 vs. $10,718.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than NSU ($17,088 vs. $17,264)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 36.2% lower than costs at Central Connecticut State University ($9,150 vs. $12,464)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Central Connecticut State University than Northern State University (93% vs. 91%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Central Connecticut State University students is 8.7% larger than aid received Northern State University ($6,212 vs. $5,715)
CCSU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or CCSU .
- The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 13 points higher than at CCSU (1011)
- Incoming CCSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
- Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at CCSU (3.2)
- NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than CCSU (76.7%)
CCSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CCSU 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 CCSU.
- The graduation rate at CCSU is higher than Northern State University (47% vs. 42%)
- Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn on average $11,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $37,400)
- Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $1,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,399)
- CCSU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($232 vs. $252)
- More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/