NSU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern State University 16:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

NSU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or USAO? 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 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than NSU ($8,070 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 1.6% lower than at Northeastern State University ($10,940 vs. $11,120).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,190 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at USAO than at Northeastern State University (about $2,900 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Northeastern State University (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 46.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($13,068 vs. $8,893).

NSU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 190 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming USAO students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 866/1136; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern State University 18/23; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at USAO (3.43).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

NSU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and USAO? 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).

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USAO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.