University of the District of Columbia vs. NSU

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Norfolk State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia
Norfolk State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU #988
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • NSU $15,056
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • NSU 75%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • NSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • NSU 823/1030
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • NSU $320

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • NSU 33%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • NSU 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • NSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • NSU 5%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • NSU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • NSU 84%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • NSU 4%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • NSU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • NSU 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • NSU 2%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • NSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • NSU Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC 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 University of the District of Columbia based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 4,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the District of Columbia 8:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia ($9,124 vs. $12,895).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 32.7% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($11,591 vs. $17,224).
  • Norfolk State University is 79.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $4,518 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 73.3% higher at NSU than at University of the District of Columbia (about $9,168 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $12,514.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 91% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($15,056 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

  • University of the District of Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
  • 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: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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).

  • Norfolk State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than University of the District of Columbia's (8%).
  • Graduates from University of the District of Columbia earn a median of about $400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($227 vs. $320).
  • More University of the District of Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (28% 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.