NSU vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to Northern State University or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Austin Peay State 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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Northern State University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Northern State University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University
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Overview

NSU Austin Peay State University
Location Aberdeen, SD Clarksville, TN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 3,521 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #871 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northern.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $7,616 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $10,718 $12,552
Room & Board $10,300 $13,070
Avg Net Price $16,873 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $5,565 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 94%

Admission

NSU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,082 5,559
Admitted 1,004 5,334
Acceptance Rate 92.8% 96%
Enrolled % 31.8% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 800/1150 943/1165
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2026

Academics

NSU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

NSU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 42% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,399 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $252 $232

Diversity

NSU Austin Peay State University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 13% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 63%
% Black 2% 20%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

NSU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 72% 87%
% Out-of-State 28% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 3,521 students)

NSU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Northern State University is 8.7% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.1% higher at Austin Peay State University than Northern State University ($12,552.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than NSU ($14,679 vs. $16,873)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 26.9% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,300 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Northern State University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 102.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,247 vs. $5,565)

NSU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 13 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming NSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than NSU (92.8%)

NSU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Austin Peay State University (42% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates of Northern State University and Austin Peay State University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($37,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $1,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,399)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($232 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)

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