NSU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 6,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

NSU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or SFASU? 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 Northeastern State University than SFASU ($12,410 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 15.4% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($11,120 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 42.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,318 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.5% higher at SFASU than at Northeastern State University (about $6,136 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern State University as at Stephen F Austin State University (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 20.3% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($10,694 vs. $8,893).

NSU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or SFASU? 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 SFASU and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 70 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 866/1136; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 18/23; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

NSU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($18,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($186 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 48%)

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.