Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. NSU

Should I go to Nebraska Wesleyan University or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Nebraska Wesleyan University 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. 

Creighton University Nebraska South Dakota State University USD Northwest Pitt State Augustana Winona State University UNOMAHA Union College
Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. Northern State University comparison
Nebraska Wesleyan University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
Location Lincoln, NE Aberdeen, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,690 3,521
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #871
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nebrwesleyan.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
Tuition (In State) $40,648 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $40,648 $10,718
Room & Board $9,982 $10,300
Avg Net Price $24,863 $16,873
Avg Grant Aid $28,719 $5,565
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,295 1,082
Admitted 1,922 1,004
Acceptance Rate 83.7% 92.8%
Enrolled % 22.9% 31.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.37
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/27 18/24
SAT Range 1020/1210 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
Graduation Rate 64% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $258 $252

Diversity

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
% Men 2% 4%
% Women 7% 13%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 83%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 Nebraska Wesleyan University NSU
% In-State 71% 72%
% Out-of-State 26% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern State University is larger than than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,521 students vs. 1,690 students)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska Wesleyan University or NSU?

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University is 433.7% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($40,648.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 279.2% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Northern State University ($40,648.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Nebraska Wesleyan University ($16,873 vs. $24,863)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nebraska Wesleyan University are 3.2% lower than costs at Northern State University ($9,982 vs. $10,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Northern State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 416.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($28,719 vs. $5,565)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1121) is 97 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (83.7%)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nebraska Wesleyan University 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Nebraska Wesleyan University is higher than Northern State University (64% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn on average $14,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Northern State University students graduate with a $601 lower median federal student loan debt than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($24,399 vs. $25,000)
  • NSU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($252 vs. $258)
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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