UALR vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,216 students vs. 6,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

UALR vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than NSU ($12,033 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 3.2% lower than at Northeastern State University ($10,760 vs. $11,120).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,938 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.2% higher at UALR than at Northeastern State University (about $4,868 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than at Northeastern State University (92% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($11,013 vs. $8,893).

UALR vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 90 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming UALR students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UALR (3.42).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 39% at NSU.

UALR vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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).

• Northeastern State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UALR graduates ($18,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UALR graduates ($186 vs. $211).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 48%)

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.