Overview
Enrollment
Northeastern State University (NSU) is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, approximately 70 miles east of Tulsa. The institution traces its origins to the Cherokee National Female Seminary established in 1846, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. The primary campus spans 200 acres featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings, with additional satellite locations in Broken Arrow and Muskogee. NSU maintains strong academic programs in education, optometry, and Cherokee language studies, with the College of Optometry being one of only 23 such programs in the United States. The university provides on-campus housing through several residence halls and apartment complexes, primarily serving its undergraduate population, while competing in NCAA Division II athletics as the RiverHawks.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
NSU is rated within the lower 31% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northeastern State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#929 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#378 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#11 in Best Colleges in Oklahoma
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma
#18 in Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 920/1145 |
| ACT | 18/23 |
| GPA | 3.49 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $25 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Oklahoma Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $890 |
| Room and Board | $10,494 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,020 |
| Total One Year Cost | $22,027 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $890 |
| Room and Board | $10,494 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,020 |
| Total One Year Cost | $31,147 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 22% |
| Business | 18% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 8% |
| Biology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering NSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=207263 IPEDS survey data for Northeastern State University.
Current students may use the Northeastern State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025