FSW vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

FSW vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 Florida SouthWestern State College than NSU ($8,356 vs. $9,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 3.5% lower than at Norfolk State University ($11,185 vs. $11,591).
• Norfolk State University is 199.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $6,779 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at NSU than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $8,703 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than at Norfolk State University (80% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 153.6% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($15,056 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: FSW - Open admission; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FSW students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at NSU (2.9).

FSW vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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).

• Graduates from Florida SouthWestern State College earn a median of about $700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $22,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $227 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($93 vs. $320).
• More FSW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.