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Tahlequah , OK
Northeastern State University (NSU) is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Established in 1851, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. NSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, and technology. The university is known for its commitment to providing quality education, promoting research and innovation, and fostering community engagement.
NSU is recognized for its Native American heritage and dedication to diversity and inclusion. It takes pride in being a designated Native American-serving, non-tribal institution and strives to create a culturally rich and inclusive environment for all students. The university offers programs and support services specifically designed to meet the needs of Native American students, such as the Center for Tribal Studies and the Center of Indigenous Wellness and Exercise.
With a student-centered approach, NSU emphasizes experiential learning and hands-on opportunities for its students. The university's strong partnerships with local industries and organizations provide students with numerous internships, cooperative education, and research opportunities. Moreover, NSU boasts a vibrant campus life, with various clubs, organizations, and athletic programs to engage students outside the classroom.
In summary, Northeastern State University is a prestigious institution known for its commitment to education, diversity, and engagement. With a wide range of academic programs, a culturally rich environment, and ample opportunities for experiential learning, NSU offers students a comprehensive educational experience.
Northeastern State University is a public university located in Tahlequah, OK and set in a rural environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 99%. The freshman retention rate at Northeastern State University is 60.81% and the six-year graduation rate is 35%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Northeastern State University.
Quick Facts
5,085
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
35%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Discover some important information about admission at Northeastern State University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,998 in 2025. Northeastern State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5, 17 between 24-29, 40 in the range between 18-23, 34 between 12-17, and 4 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 17 and the average GPA was 3.45. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Northeastern State University was 60.81%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 35%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right fit for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 6,642 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 5% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 5,085, 187 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 676 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,627 male and 2,576 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Northeastern State University.
This school had 127 Asian students and 235 Afro-American students in 2025. 435 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 784 as multirace. The school also had 13 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 1,104 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 123 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial element. Most students have to give about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at Northeastern State University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Northeastern State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,448. If you only wanted a dorm room, it cost $5,400 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Room and Board | $ 12,448 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Northeastern State University.
The most recent records show that 458 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $16,986 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
2,303 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Northeastern State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 2,538. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $15,720,004, and state $4,640,171. The students of Northeastern State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $614,194, and external in the amount of $1,836,001.
$3,252
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
444 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 166 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $15,720,004 while the state aid is $11,316. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $760,460. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $997,827 USD.
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Northeastern State University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 355. This number included 156 men and 199 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Northeastern State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Northeastern State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about campus life at Northeastern State University.
Its campus is 200 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the Northeastern State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students interested in media and communication, Northeastern State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Northeastern State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Northeastern State University.
All in all, campus life at Northeastern State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Northeastern State University.
Career Counselling
At Northeastern State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 45,757 USD.
$45,757
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK.
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Northeastern State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Northeastern State University is 99%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Northeastern State University is 60.81%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.