NSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Should I go to Norfolk State University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University 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.

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Norfolk State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University comparison
Norfolk State University Potomac State College of West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Norfolk State University
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Overview

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Location Norfolk, VA Keyser, WV
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 5,783 1,145
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1008
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nsu.edu potomacstatecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Tuition (In State) $5,752 $4,752
Tuition (Out of State) $16,920 $12,120
Room & Board $10,844 $9,386
Avg Net Price $14,652 $7,822
Avg Grant Aid $12,164 $6,043
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 89%

Admission

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,884 -
Admitted 7,951 -
Acceptance Rate 89.5% Open
Enrolled % 16.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 2.9 3.06
Typical High School Grades B- B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 840/1040
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2025

Academics

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)

Outcomes

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Graduation Rate 33% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $320 $248

Diversity

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% Men 33% 42%
% Women 67% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 5% 69%
% Black 84% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% In-State 65% 74%
% Out-of-State 31% 24%

Campus

NSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (5,783 students vs. 1,145 students)

NSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

  • Norfolk State University is 21% more expensive to attend than Potomac State College of West Virginia University for in-state tuition ($5,752.00 vs. $4,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.6% higher at NSU than Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($16,920.00 vs. $12,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than NSU ($7,822 vs. $14,652)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 15.5% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($9,386 vs. $10,844)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Norfolk State University than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (91% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 101.3% larger than aid received Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($12,164 vs. $6,043)

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

  • Accepted freshman Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at NSU (2.9)

NSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 State College of West Virginia University and NSU.

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn on average $13,900 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $36,700)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate with a $6,999 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,001 vs. $31,000)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($248 vs. $320)
  • More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 27%)

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