Holy Family University vs. NSU

Deciding between Holy Family 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.

Norfolk State University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Holy Family University Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Holy Family University 3,225
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Holy Family University Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Holy Family University #636
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Holy Family University Roman Catholic
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • Holy Family University Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Holy Family University
  • NSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Holy Family University $35,330
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Holy Family University $35,330
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • Holy Family University $15,284
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • Holy Family University $14,072
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Holy Family University $26,603
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Holy Family University 100%
  • NSU 75%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Holy Family University 3,449
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Holy Family University 2,450
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Holy Family University 71%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Holy Family University 21.1%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Holy Family University 1030
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Holy Family University
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Holy Family University 3.13
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Holy Family University B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Holy Family University Very Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Holy Family University Low
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • Holy Family University
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Holy Family University 910/1150
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Holy Family University Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Holy Family University
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Holy Family University 14:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Holy Family University
    • Health Professions (30%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Holy Family University 61%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Holy Family University $51,000
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Holy Family University 64%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Holy Family University $27,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Holy Family University $279
  • NSU $320
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Holy Family University 29%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • Holy Family University 71%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Holy Family University Low
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Holy Family University No
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • Holy Family University 62%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • Holy Family University 4%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Holy Family University 9%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • Holy Family University 7%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Holy Family University 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Holy Family University 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Holy Family University 0%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • Holy Family University 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Holy Family University 18%
  • NSU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Holy Family University 85%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Holy Family University 14%
  • NSU 2%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Holy Family University Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Holy Family University No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Holy Family University Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Holy Family University Yes
  • NSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Holy Family University No
  • NSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA 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 Holy Family University based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 3,225 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Holy Family University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Holy Family University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Family University 14:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Holy Family University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Family University 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 Holy Family University ($9,124 vs. $14,072).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 24.2% lower than at Holy Family University ($11,591 vs. $15,284).
  • Holy Family University is 247.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $25,150 more per year; $35,330.00 vs. $10,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at Holy Family University than at Norfolk State University (about $13,648 more per year; $35,330.00 vs. $21,682.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Holy Family University than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Family University students is 76.7% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($26,603 vs. $15,056).

Holy Family University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Family University 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 Holy Family University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Holy Family University (1030) is 100 points higher than at NSU (930).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Family University 910/1150; Norfolk 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: Holy Family University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Holy Family University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at NSU (2.9).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Holy Family University (71%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Holy Family University vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Holy Family University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Family University 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).

  • Holy Family University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
  • Graduates from Holy Family University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Family University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Holy Family University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($279 vs. $320).
  • More Holy Family University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.