Florida A&M vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,313 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 14:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Florida A&M vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida A&M 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 Agricultural and Mechanical University than NSU ($13,819 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 14% lower than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University ($10,600 vs. $12,328).
• Northern State University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida A&M (about $3,060 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Florida A&M than at Northern State University (about $5,778 more per year; $17,725.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (97% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University students is 57.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($10,139 vs. $6,441).

Florida A&M vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida A&M 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 Florida A&M .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (1110) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Florida A&M students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 1030/1180; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 20/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida A&M - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida A&M May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida A&M students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Florida A&M (20.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.5% at Florida A&M vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Florida A&M vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida A&M 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's (40%).
• Graduates from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $4,101 lower median loan debt than Florida A&M graduates ($24,399 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida A&M graduates ($252 vs. $294).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida A&M students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 32%)

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.