MSU vs. NSU

Should I go to Midwestern State University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

VSU Old Dominion Hampton University Tarleton UNT Bowie State University A&M Commerce SFASU ECSU SHSU Texas Tech Delaware State University
Midwestern State University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Midwestern State University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Midwestern State University Norfolk State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 MSU NSU
Location Wichita Falls, TX Norfolk, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 5,573 6,045
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #838 #999
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mwsu.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MSU NSU
Tuition (In State) $5,877 $5,926
Tuition (Out of State) $7,827 $17,428
Room & Board $10,240 $11,692
Avg Net Price $11,798 $12,272
Avg Grant Aid $10,415 $11,153
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 97%

Admission

 MSU NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,824 10,211
Admitted 5,089 8,931
Acceptance Rate 87.4% 87.5%
Enrolled % 15.8% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/22 16/21
SAT Range 910/1100 840/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2026

Academics

 MSU NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (22%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

 MSU NSU
Graduation Rate 34% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,300 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,299 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $230 $320

Diversity

 MSU NSU
% Men 6% 3%
% Women 13% 5%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 52% 5%
% Black 14% 84%
% Hispanic 17% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 9% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 MSU NSU
% In-State 94% 65%
% Out-of-State 3% 31%

Campus

 MSU NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 5,573 students)

MSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or NSU?

  • Norfolk State University is 0.8% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($5,926.00 vs. $5,877.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 122.7% higher at NSU than Midwestern State University ($17,428.00 vs. $7,827.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Midwestern State University than NSU ($11,798 vs. $12,272)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 14.2% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($10,240 vs. $11,692)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Norfolk State University than Midwestern State University (97% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 7.1% larger than aid received Midwestern State University ($11,153 vs. $10,415)

MSU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or MSU .

  • The average SAT score at Midwestern State University (1002) is 194 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than MSU (87.4%)

MSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at MSU is higher than Norfolk State University (34% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Midwestern State University earn on average $7,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($44,300 vs. $36,700)
  • Midwestern State University students graduate with a $8,701 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,299 vs. $31,000)
  • MSU graduates are paying $90 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($230 vs. $320)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/