NSU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD 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. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern 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: Northern State University 19:1; 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 Stephen F Austin State University than NSU ($14,959 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 19.4% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,600 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 25.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,283 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at SFASU than at Northern State University (about $11,479 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Stephen F Austin State University (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 66% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($10,694 vs. $6,441).

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 Northern State University (1070) is the same as at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SFASU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $601 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.