Plaza College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Plaza College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Plaza College ($9,124 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 25.2% lower than at Plaza College ($11,591 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 51.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $5,270 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.3% higher at NSU than at Plaza College (about $6,232 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Norfolk State University (93% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 125.9% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($15,056 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 54.9% at Plaza College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Plaza College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College and NSU? 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).

• Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $17,085 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($13,915 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $177 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($143 vs. $320).
• More Plaza College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 27%)

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.