Keystone College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Keystone College in La Plume, 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 Keystone College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keystone College 12:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Keystone College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone College 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 Keystone College ($9,124 vs. $21,952).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 8% lower than at Keystone College ($11,591 vs. $12,600).
• Keystone College is 79.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $8,120 more per year; $18,300.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at NSU than at Keystone College (about $3,382 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Keystone College than at Norfolk State University (84% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 48.8% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($15,056 vs. $10,119).

Keystone College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Keystone College 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 Keystone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Keystone College (1020) is 90 points higher than at NSU (930).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keystone College 910/1130; 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: Keystone College - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Keystone College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Keystone College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Keystone College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone College 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).

• Keystone College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($26,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($268 vs. $320).
• More Keystone College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.