Lincoln University vs. NSU

Deciding between Lincoln 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.

Lincoln University
Norfolk State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Lincoln University Town Fringe
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lincoln University 1,670
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Lincoln University Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lincoln University #983
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lincoln University -
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • Lincoln University Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lincoln University
  • NSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lincoln University $12,512
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lincoln University $19,384
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • Lincoln University $11,616
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • Lincoln University $14,473
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lincoln University $13,750
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lincoln University 94%
  • NSU 75%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lincoln University 5,248
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Lincoln University 3,449
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lincoln University 65.7%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Lincoln University 12.3%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lincoln University 890
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lincoln University
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lincoln University 3.06
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lincoln University B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lincoln University Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lincoln University Low
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • Lincoln University
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Lincoln University 820/960
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lincoln University Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Lincoln University May 1, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lincoln University 12:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lincoln University
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Lincoln University 40%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Lincoln University $35,100
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Lincoln University 32%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Lincoln University $31,500
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Lincoln University $325
  • NSU $320
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Lincoln University 36%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • Lincoln University 64%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lincoln University Extremely Low
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Lincoln University Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • Lincoln University 1%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • Lincoln University 0%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Lincoln University 86%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lincoln University 2%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Lincoln University 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lincoln University 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lincoln University 1%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • Lincoln University 4%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lincoln University 6%
  • NSU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lincoln University 44%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lincoln University 55%
  • NSU 2%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Lincoln University in Lincoln University, 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 Lincoln University based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,670 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lincoln University is located in Lincoln University, PA (Town Fringe setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Lincoln University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lincoln University 12:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Lincoln University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lincoln 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 Lincoln University ($9,124 vs. $14,473).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 0.2% lower than at Lincoln University ($11,591 vs. $11,616).
  • Lincoln University is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,332 more per year; $12,512.00 vs. $10,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at NSU than at Lincoln University (about $2,298 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $19,384.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lincoln University than at Norfolk State University (94% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by Lincoln University students ($15,056 vs. $13,750).

Lincoln University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lincoln 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 Lincoln University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Norfolk State University (930) is 40 points higher than at Lincoln University (890).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lincoln University 820/960; 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: Lincoln University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lincoln University May 1, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Lincoln University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at NSU (2.9).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Lincoln University (65.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Lincoln University vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Lincoln University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lincoln 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).

  • Lincoln University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Lincoln University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Norfolk State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Lincoln University graduates ($31,000 vs. $31,500).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lincoln University graduates ($320 vs. $325).
  • More Lincoln University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (32% 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.