ATU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

ATU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than NSU ($12,626 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 5.4% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,338 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $190 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at NSU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $4,984 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University as at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (93% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($12,098 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is 20 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at NSU (3.3).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 37.4% at NSU.

ATU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $3,781 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($183 vs. $222).
• More ATU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.