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Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK · Town · 4,772 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$12,710
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
36%
Graduation rate
54% typical
$45,379
Earnings 10 years on
$55,177 typical
100%
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

As Oklahoma's oldest higher education institution, Northeastern State University is deeply rooted in Cherokee heritage—originally founded as the Cherokee National Female Seminary—and is widely recognized for its strong programs in teacher education, business, and healthcare. The university is notably home to the Oklahoma College of Optometry, the only optometry program in the state, and consistently ranks as one of the nation's leading granters of bachelor's degrees to Native American students. Set in the scenic Ozark foothills of Tahlequah, campus culture is close-knit and community-focused, offering students rich Indigenous cultural traditions, vibrant campus organizations, and easy access to outdoor recreation along the nearby Illinois River.

Wikipedia:Northeastern State University is a public university whose main campus is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The university also has campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow. Northeastern is Oklahoma's oldest institution of higher learning and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. Tahlequah is home to the capital of the Cherokee Nation and about 25% of NSU students identify themselves as American Indian. The university has many courses focused on Native American linguistics, and offers Cherokee language education as a major. Some classes are taught in Cherokee for first language speakers.

Location
Tahlequah, OK, 74464-2399 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MCI · Kansas City
234 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$7,810$17,290
Housing & food (on campus)$11,120$11,120
Books & supplies$1,000$1,000
Cost of attendance$21,551$31,031 est.
Average net price$12,710Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$17,290
In-state: $7,810
Housing & food (on campus)$11,120
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$31,031 est.
In-state: $21,551
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $12,710
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$10,598
$30–48k
$9,827
$48–75k
$12,612
$75–110k
$18,188
$110k+
$19,511
Grants from the school
51% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $4,259
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
36%
Within 4 yrs
21%
Back for yr 2
61%
Transferred
23%
Pell students: 29.7% · others: 41.6% 
8 yrs after starting
40% graduated · 23% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 36% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$41,207
10 yrs after entry$45,379
Debt
Median at graduation$17,367
Monthly payment$184
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$22.6k
90th percentile$32,304
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
100%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1049
R 438–593 · M 428–543
ACT midpoint
20
Comp 18–23 · E 16–23 · M 16–22
SAT middle 50%: 866–1136
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 99.4% · women 99.8% 
Yield: 39.0% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Northeastern State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
45%
First-gen
42%
Family income
$30,816
Independent
42%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
24.0
Part-time
24%
Where first-years come from
In state (OK)
87.8%
Out of state
8.5%
International
2.1%

Most out-of-state first-years from: TX 29 · AR 16 · KS 2 · MO 2 · WA 2

Race & ethnicity
White
40%
Hispanic
9%
Black
5%
Asian
3%
Two or more
15%
Non-resident
4%
AI/AN
21%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$41,207
After 10 yrs
$45,379
Research and Experimental Psychology133
Business Administration, Management and Operations111
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities97
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods88
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing74
Accounting and Related Services74
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness56
Criminal Justice and Corrections55
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences47
Computer Science41
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas39
Social Work32
Marketing31
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other30
Finance and Financial Management Services28
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians24
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$45M
Full-time faculty
74%
Faculty salary
$8,084/mo
Teaching spend
$11,563
per student
Federal loans
36%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Northeastern State University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search