LSU vs. NSU

Should I go to Louisiana State University or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if LSU 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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Louisiana State University vs. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
Louisiana State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
Louisiana State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

LSU NSU
Location Baton Rouge, LA Natchitoches, LA
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 37,348 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #367 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU NSU
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $15,968
Room & Board $13,956 $10,269
Avg Net Price $21,296 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $12,374 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 89%

Admission

LSU NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,853 2,903
Admitted 29,419 2,843
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 97.9%
Enrolled % 25.2% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.3
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 18/23
SAT Range 1140/1320 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 Jul 15, 2024

Academics

LSU NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

LSU NSU
Graduation Rate 60% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $216 $222

Diversity

LSU NSU
% Men 44% 29%
% Women 56% 71%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 54%
% Black 12% 31%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

LSU NSU
% In-State 65% 98%
% Out-of-State 34% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Louisiana State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (37,348 students vs. 9,389 students)

LSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or NSU?

  • Louisiana State University is 55.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($8,038.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 98.7% higher at NSU than Louisiana State University ($15,968.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than LSU ($14,238 vs. $21,296)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 35.9% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($10,269 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 30.3% larger than aid received Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($12,374 vs. $9,499)

LSU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 155 points higher than at NSU (1008)
  • Incoming LSU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than LSU (75.7%)

LSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSU 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 LSU.

  • The graduation rate at LSU is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (60% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Louisiana State University earn on average $18,800 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $38,100)
  • Louisiana State University students graduate with a $631 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($20,900 vs. $21,531)
  • LSU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($216 vs. $222)
  • More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 46%)

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