NSU vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Northeastern State University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Central Washington 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

EWU Washington State Western Washington University UW-Seattle UWB UCO-Central UWT Portland State University ULM OSU-Oklahoma City SPU RSU
Northeastern State University vs. Central Washington University comparison
Northeastern State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Northeastern State University Central Washington University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NSU Central Washington University
Location Tahlequah, OK Ellensburg, WA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 6,466 8,796
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #929 #667
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nsuok.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $6,623 $7,021
Tuition (Out of State) $15,743 $24,600
Room & Board $10,494 $16,314
Avg Net Price $11,153 $15,558
Avg Grant Aid $7,886 $8,970
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 90%

Admission

NSU Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,386 6,829
Admitted 1,375 6,161
Acceptance Rate 99.2% 90.2%
Enrolled % 48.4% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 17/24
SAT Range 920/1145 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026

Academics

NSU Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

NSU Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 26% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,200 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,000 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $186 $214

Diversity

NSU Central Washington University
% Men 6% 2%
% Women 17% 3%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 50% 59%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 14%
% Native American 19% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 17% 7%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

NSU Central Washington University
% In-State 93% 93%
% Out-of-State 5% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,796 students vs. 6,466 students)

NSU vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 6% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,021.00 vs. $6,623.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.3% higher at Central Washington University than Northeastern State University ($24,600.00 vs. $15,743.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern State University than Central Washington University ($11,153 vs. $15,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 55.5% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($10,494 vs. $16,314)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Washington University than Northeastern State University (90% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 13.7% larger than aid received Northeastern State University ($8,970 vs. $7,886)

NSU vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northeastern State University (988) is 10 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming NSU students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Central Washington University (90.2%)

NSU vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Central Washington 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 Central Washington University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Northeastern State University (56% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $7,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,200)
  • Northeastern State University students graduate with a $2,737 lower median federal student loan debt than Central Washington University graduates. ($18,000 vs. $20,737)
  • NSU graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Central Washington University graduates. ($186 vs. $214)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 48%)

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