Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Mankato is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($9,124 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 6.7% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($11,591 vs. $12,420).
• Norfolk State University is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $608 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at NSU than at Minnesota State University Mankato (about $2,740 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $18,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Mankato than at Norfolk State University (78% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 182.7% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($15,056 vs. $5,325).

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato.

• Incoming Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24; Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at NSU (2.9).
• Minnesota State University-Mankato has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota State University-Mankato 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).

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Mankato graduates have a $8,425 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,575 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($233 vs. $320).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.