GSU- Grambling vs. NSU

Deciding between Grambling State University 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.

Grambling State University
Norfolk State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • GSU- Grambling Grambling, LA
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • GSU- Grambling Rural Fringe
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • GSU- Grambling 5,150
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • GSU- Grambling Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • GSU- Grambling #1018
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • GSU- Grambling -
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • GSU- Grambling Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • GSU- Grambling
  • NSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • GSU- Grambling $7,683
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • GSU- Grambling $16,706
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • GSU- Grambling $10,990
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • GSU- Grambling $17,018
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • GSU- Grambling $8,870
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • GSU- Grambling 95%
  • NSU 75%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • GSU- Grambling 12,976
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • GSU- Grambling 5,821
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • GSU- Grambling 44.9%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • GSU- Grambling 18%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GSU- Grambling 1000
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • GSU- Grambling 17
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • GSU- Grambling 3.01
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • GSU- Grambling B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • GSU- Grambling Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • GSU- Grambling Low
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • GSU- Grambling 15/19
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • GSU- Grambling 920/1080
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • GSU- Grambling Required
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • GSU- Grambling
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • GSU- Grambling 25:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • GSU- Grambling
    • Business (22%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • GSU- Grambling 27%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • GSU- Grambling $32,400
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • GSU- Grambling 23%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • GSU- Grambling $37,997
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • GSU- Grambling $392
  • NSU $320
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • GSU- Grambling 37%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • GSU- Grambling 63%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • GSU- Grambling Extremely Low
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • GSU- Grambling Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • GSU- Grambling 1%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • GSU- Grambling 0%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • GSU- Grambling 91%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • GSU- Grambling 1%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • GSU- Grambling 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • GSU- Grambling 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • GSU- Grambling 2%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • GSU- Grambling 4%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • GSU- Grambling 1%
  • NSU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • GSU- Grambling 43%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • GSU- Grambling 35%
  • NSU 2%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • GSU- Grambling Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • GSU- Grambling No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • GSU- Grambling Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • GSU- Grambling No
  • NSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • GSU- Grambling No
  • NSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Grambling State University in Grambling, LA 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 GSU- Grambling based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 5,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grambling State University is located in Grambling, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Grambling 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: Grambling State University 25:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

GSU- Grambling vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU- Grambling 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 GSU- Grambling ($9,124 vs. $17,018).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grambling State University are 5.2% lower than at Norfolk State University ($10,990 vs. $11,591).
  • Norfolk State University is 32.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU- Grambling (about $2,497 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $7,683.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at NSU than at Grambling State University (about $4,976 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $16,706.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grambling State University than at Norfolk State University (95% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 69.7% larger than aid received by Grambling State University students ($15,056 vs. $8,870).

GSU- Grambling vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU- Grambling 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 GSU- Grambling.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grambling State University (1000) is 70 points higher than at NSU (930).
  • Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at GSU- Grambling).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grambling State University 920/1080; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grambling State University 15/19; Norfolk State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU- Grambling - Required; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman GSU- Grambling students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at NSU (2.9).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than GSU- Grambling (44.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at GSU- Grambling vs. 13.2% at NSU.

GSU- Grambling vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU- Grambling 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).

  • Norfolk State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Grambling State University's (27%).
  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than GSU- Grambling graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Norfolk State University graduates have a $6,997 lower median loan debt than GSU- Grambling graduates ($31,000 vs. $37,997).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU- Grambling graduates ($320 vs. $392).
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU- Grambling students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 23%)

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.