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Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University is based in the town of Tahlequah, OK — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$9,624

family income
under $30k

$9,468

$30–48k

$12,083

$48–75k

$16,943

$75–110k

$17,134

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$12,7102023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Northeastern State University rose from $7,281 (2008) to $12,710 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$7,281
2009	$7,258
2010	$6,000
2011	$7,396
2012	$6,668
2013	$7,424
2014	$8,604
2015	$8,661
2016	$9,167
2017	$9,463
2018	$9,994
2019	$10,094
2020	$9,769
2021	$10,133
2022	$11,800
2023	$12,710

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$21,5512024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Northeastern State University rose from $12,331 (2009) to $21,551 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$12,331
2010	$12,720
2011	$11,967
2012	$12,835
2013	$13,296
2014	$14,395
2015	$15,177
2016	$15,999
2017	$16,337
2018	$16,625
2019	$16,921
2020	$17,889
2021	$18,039
2022	$18,427
2023	$19,274
2024	$21,551

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$2,003	$4,658
2001	$2,136	$5,029
2002	$2,312	$5,465
2003	$2,700	$6,600
2004	$3,000	$7,350
2005	$3,270	$8,040
2006	$3,489	$8,589
2007	$3,798	$9,318
2008	$4,155	$10,245
2013	$4,992	$12,012
2014	$5,285	$12,635
2015	$5,547	$12,897
2016	$6,207	$13,707
2017	$6,327	$14,022
2018	$6,650	$14,720
2019	$6,915	$15,315
2020	$6,915	$15,315
2021	$7,115	$15,755
2022	$7,400	$16,385
2023	$7,513	$16,633

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Northeastern State University reports tuition of $7,810 for in-state students and $17,290 for out-of-state students. Check Northeastern State University’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 4,772 undergrads, Northeastern State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

35.4% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Northeastern State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

35.4%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Northeastern State University rose from 29.9% (entered 1991) to 35.4% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	29.9%
1992 cohort	28.3%
1993 cohort	27.5%
1994 cohort	25%
1995 cohort	29.7%
1996 cohort	29.4%
1997 cohort	32.8%
1998 cohort	29.9%
1999 cohort	31.5%
2000 cohort	32.9%
2001 cohort	31.6%
2002 cohort	30.1%
2003 cohort	29.6%
2004 cohort	28.3%
2005 cohort	26.1%
2006 cohort	30.3%
2007 cohort	29.7%
2008 cohort	30.7%
2009 cohort	25.9%
2010 cohort	27.2%
2011 cohort	31.6%
2012 cohort	35.3%
2013 cohort	32.6%
2014 cohort	35.5%
2015 cohort	38.8%
2016 cohort	38%
2017 cohort	37.2%
2018 cohort	35.4%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$9,473	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$9,190	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$8,892	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$8,062	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$8,838	$3,138
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$9,733	$3,512
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$10,610	$4,129
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$11,508	$4,231
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$12,024	$4,286
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$12,686	$4,699
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$13,473	$4,544
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$13,625	$4,754
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$15,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$16,158	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$15,860	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$15,440	$5,882
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$16,338	$6,234
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$17,106	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$17,798	$7,942
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$17,750	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$18,221	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$18,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$17,500	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$17,367	$8,250

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$41,207

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$44,103

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$45,379

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Northeastern State University admitted 1,720 of 1,727 applicants in Fall 2024. The 99.6% rate describes that application pool.

99.6%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $7,513 in-state tuition · 2023–24 4,772 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 866–11361600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Northeastern State University received 1,727 applications and admitted 1,720 (99.6%), with 671 enrolling.

Northeastern State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Northeastern State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 438–593 and Math was 428–543 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 866–1136 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	438	525	593
SAT Math	428	505	543
ACT Composite	18	20	23

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

99.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	83.6%
Fall 2002	87.4%
Fall 2003	83.4%
Fall 2004	84%
Fall 2005	75.9%
Fall 2006	74.4%
Fall 2007	70.8%
Fall 2008	70.2%
Fall 2009	70.6%
Fall 2010	74.5%
Fall 2011	54.2%
Fall 2012	75.7%
Fall 2013	73.4%
Fall 2014	75%
Fall 2015	92.8%
Fall 2016	93.8%
Fall 2017	95.7%
Fall 2018	97.5%
Fall 2019	99.6%
Fall 2020	99.5%
Fall 2021	99.5%
Fall 2022	99.5%
Fall 2023	99.2%
Fall 2024	99.6%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

866–1136Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2014	833	1036
Fall 2015	836	910
Fall 2016	873	1095
Fall 2017	865	1080
Fall 2018	918	1123
Fall 2019	896	1100
Fall 2020	955	1125
Fall 2021	878	1085
Fall 2022	875	1130
Fall 2023	920	1145
Fall 2024	866	1136

IPEDS Fall 2014–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

18–23Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	15	23
Fall 2002	18	22
Fall 2003	18	23
Fall 2004	18	23
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	18	23
Fall 2007	18	23
Fall 2008	18	23
Fall 2009	18	23
Fall 2010	18	22
Fall 2011	18	23
Fall 2012	18	23
Fall 2013	18	23
Fall 2014	19	24
Fall 2015	19	23
Fall 2016	19	24
Fall 2017	19	24
Fall 2018	18	23
Fall 2019	18	24
Fall 2020	17	24
Fall 2021	17	23
Fall 2022	17	23
Fall 2023	18	23
Fall 2024	18	23

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,772Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Northeastern State University fell from 7,784 (Fall 2002) to 4,772 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	7,784
Fall 2003	8,074
Fall 2004	8,258
Fall 2005	8,488
Fall 2006	8,353
Fall 2007	8,052
Fall 2008	7,661
Fall 2009	7,989
Fall 2010	8,337
Fall 2011	7,961
Fall 2012	7,344
Fall 2013	7,215
Fall 2014	6,914
Fall 2015	6,788
Fall 2016	6,548
Fall 2017	6,401
Fall 2018	6,332
Fall 2019	5,868
Fall 2020	5,646
Fall 2021	5,212
Fall 2022	4,885
Fall 2023	4,636
Fall 2024	4,772

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

60%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Northeastern State University has held near 60% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	65%
Fall 2003 cohort	66%
Fall 2004 cohort	67%
Fall 2005 cohort	62%
Fall 2006 cohort	64%
Fall 2007 cohort	63%
Fall 2008 cohort	63%
Fall 2009 cohort	61%
Fall 2010 cohort	63%
Fall 2011 cohort	64%
Fall 2012 cohort	68%
Fall 2013 cohort	61%
Fall 2014 cohort	62%
Fall 2015 cohort	65%
Fall 2016 cohort	63%
Fall 2017 cohort	64%
Fall 2018 cohort	60%
Fall 2019 cohort	66%
Fall 2020 cohort	61%
Fall 2021 cohort	64%
Fall 2022 cohort	63%
Fall 2023 cohort	60%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Northeastern State University

45.1% of Northeastern State University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Northeastern State University as a primarily nonresidential campus — most of its 4,772 undergraduates live off campus, and 60.5% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Northeastern State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 866–1136 — their midpoint is below the OK four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Northeastern State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Northeastern State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Northeastern State University99.6%

Oklahoma median76%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Northeastern State University$7,810

Oklahoma median$9,797

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Northeastern State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Northeastern State University$45,379

Oklahoma median$46,116

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Northeastern State University, Oklahoma and national reference values
Metric & basis	Northeastern State University	Oklahoma median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	99.6%	76%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$7,810	$9,797	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$45,379	$46,116	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Northeastern State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Northeastern State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 27 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$96,702
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians	$69,276
Computer Science	$67,854
Accounting and Related Services	$65,781
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$60,651
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$57,549
Management Information Systems and Services	$55,328
Social Work	$54,943
Marketing	$54,577
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services	$54,484
Mathematics	$53,978
Biology, General	$53,387
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services	$53,271
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences	$50,981
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$50,268
Communication and Media Studies	$49,854
Public Health	$48,057
History	$47,608
Journalism	$46,506
Research and Experimental Psychology	$46,102
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$45,474
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$44,064
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$43,116
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$41,705
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General	$40,275
Psychology, General	$39,474
English Language and Literature, General	$38,731

These 27 fields listed for Northeastern State University measure earnings after completion. The $45,379 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 31 additional Northeastern State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Northeastern State University report?

Northeastern State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 866–1136 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Northeastern State University's acceptance rate?

99.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,720 admitted from 1,727 applicants.

How much does Northeastern State University cost?

In-state tuition is $7,810; out-of-state students pay $17,290. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Northeastern State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $45,379. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Christian University — 96.5% admitted
Oral Roberts University — 98.9% admitted
Mid-America Christian University — 91.8% admitted
Northwestern Oklahoma State University — 65.5% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.