CSU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Chico 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: California State University Chico 23:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

CSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than CSU ($13,134 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 33.8% lower than at California State University Chico ($10,926 vs. $16,500).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $392 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at CSU than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $1,420 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at California State University Chico (93% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 5.1% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,098 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at NSU (3.3).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 37.4% at NSU.

CSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $4,531 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.