NSU vs. Potomac College-Washington

Should I go to Norfolk State University or Potomac College Washington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Potomac College-Washington 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
Norfolk State University vs. Potomac College Washington comparison
Norfolk State University Potomac College Washington College 3 College 4
Norfolk State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Location Norfolk, VA Washington, DC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 6,045 593
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #999
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nsu.edu potomac.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Tuition (In State) $5,926 $5,760
Tuition (Out of State) $17,428 $5,760
Room & Board $11,692 $11,360
Avg Net Price $12,272 $18,780
Avg Grant Aid $11,153 $3,011
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 36%

Admission

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,211 -
Admitted 8,931 -
Acceptance Rate 87.5% Open
Enrolled % 16.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 2.9 -
Typical High School Grades B- -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 840/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2026

Academics

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (94%)
  • Health Professions (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (2%)

Outcomes

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Graduation Rate 33% 20%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 26%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $30,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $315

Diversity

NSU Potomac College-Washington
% Men 3% 37%
% Women 5% 18%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 5% 19%
% Black 84% 62%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

NSU Potomac College-Washington
% In-State 65% 14%
% Out-of-State 31% 86%

Campus

NSU Potomac College-Washington
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Potomac College-Washington based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 593 students)

NSU vs. Potomac College-Washington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Potomac College-Washington?

  • Norfolk State University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than Potomac College-Washington for in-state tuition ($5,926.00 vs. $5,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 202.6% higher at NSU than Potomac College Washington ($17,428.00 vs. $5,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Potomac College-Washington ($12,272 vs. $18,780)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac College Washington are 2.9% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($11,360 vs. $11,692)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Norfolk State University than Potomac College Washington (97% vs. 36%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 270.4% larger than aid received Potomac College Washington ($11,153 vs. $3,011)

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

NSU vs. Potomac College-Washington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Potomac College-Washington? 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 Potomac College-Washington and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Potomac College Washington (33% vs. 20%)
  • Graduates from Potomac College Washington earn on average $14,700 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $36,700)
  • Potomac College Washington students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($30,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Potomac College-Washington graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($315 vs. $320)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac College-Washington students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 26%)

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