PVAMU vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

Compare Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, TX with Nelson University in Waxahachie, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Prairie View A & M University is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (9,922 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Prairie View A & M University is located in Prairie View, TX (Distant Town setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Prairie View A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Prairie View A & M University 17:1; Nelson University 15:1.

PVAMU vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PVAMU or Nelson University? 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 Prairie View A & M University than Nelson University ($14,448 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 7% lower than at Prairie View A & M University ($9,598 vs. $10,317).
• Nelson University is 121.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PVAMU (about $13,765 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $11,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at PVAMU than at Nelson University (about $1,810 more per year; $26,874.00 vs. $25,064.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nelson University than at Prairie View A & M University (96% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Prairie View A & M University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by Nelson University students ($15,769 vs. $12,075).

PVAMU vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PVAMU or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University and PVAMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nelson University (990) is 20 points higher than at PVAMU (970).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Prairie View A & M University 860/1080; Nelson University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Prairie View A & M University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PVAMU - Required; Nelson University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: PVAMU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PVAMU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Nelson University (3.19).
• Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than PVAMU (79.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at PVAMU vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

PVAMU vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PVAMU and Nelson University? 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).

• Nelson University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Prairie View A & M University's (34%).
• Graduates from Prairie View A & M University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nelson University graduates have a $2,705 lower median loan debt than PVAMU graduates ($26,250 vs. $28,955).
• Among borrowers, Nelson University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PVAMU graduates ($271 vs. $299).
• More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PVAMU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 28%)

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.