Arkansas State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

Arkansas State University NSU
Location Jonesboro, AR Natchitoches, LA
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,190 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $15,968
Room & Board $10,100 $10,269
Avg Net Price $12,011 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 89%

Admission

Arkansas State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 2,903
Admitted 4,202 2,843
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 97.9%
Enrolled % 31.5% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 980/1200 955/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Arkansas State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University NSU
Graduation Rate 38% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $201 $222

Diversity

Arkansas State University NSU
% Men 35% 29%
% Women 65% 71%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 54%
% Black 14% 31%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Arkansas State University NSU
% In-State 81% 98%
% Out-of-State 12% 2%

Campus

Arkansas State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,190 students vs. 9,389 students)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or NSU?

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is 33% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($6,888.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.3% higher at NSU than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($15,968.00 vs. $12,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than NSU ($12,011 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 1.7% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,100 vs. $10,269)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 18.2% larger than aid received Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($11,225 vs. $9,499)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1008)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at Arkansas State University is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (38% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn on average $2,100 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($38,100 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $2,031 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,531)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($201 vs. $222)
  • More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/