SCSU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

SCSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 SCSU ($9,124 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 22.4% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($11,591 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,258 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at SCSU than at Norfolk State University (about $5,696 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Connecticut State University than at Norfolk State University (78% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 50.9% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($15,056 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• 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: SCSU - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at NSU (2.9).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

SCSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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).

• Southern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($240 vs. $320).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.