ESU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS 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 ESU based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

ESU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU 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 ESU ($9,124 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 5.5% lower than at Norfolk State University ($10,950 vs. $11,591).
• Norfolk State University is 43.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $3,074 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at NSU than at Emporia State University (about $6,263 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Norfolk State University (92% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 153% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($15,056 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

• 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: ESU - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (2.9).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

ESU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $11,581 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,419 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($200 vs. $320).
• More ESU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.