Northeastern State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 4,772 students.
About This School
Northeastern State University is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma with approximately 4,772 undergraduate students enrolled. Northeastern State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 100%. The average net price after financial aid is $12,710 per year. The graduation rate is 35%, and the typical graduate earns $41,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $11,800/year and just $12,000 in median debt at graduation, the cost is genuinely hard to beat, making this a reasonable option for cost-conscious students — particularly those with ties to Oklahoma or interest in serving Cherokee Nation communities. The concern is the 37% graduation rate and 63% freshman retention rate, which suggest many students struggle to finish; before enrolling, it's worth asking honestly whether you have the support system and financial stability to stay on track. If you do graduate, median earnings of $41,000 a decade out are modest but workable given the low debt load.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,772 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Oklahoma City Community College
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Rose State College
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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