Fort Hays State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Fort Hays State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Fort Hays State 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: Fort Hays State University 15:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University ($13,134 vs. $13,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 16.5% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,120 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,941 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at NSU than at Fort Hays State University (about $1,911 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Fort Hays State University (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 79.2% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($12,098 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University 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: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Fort Hays State University (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University 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).

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $813 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,718 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.