LSUS vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University Shreveport is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,749 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Shreveport is located in Shreveport, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Louisiana State University Shreveport 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: Louisiana State University Shreveport 30:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

LSUS vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUS 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 Louisiana State University Shreveport than NSU ($7,287 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Shreveport are 12.9% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,522 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUS (about $1,346 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $7,518.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.4% higher at NSU than at Louisiana State University Shreveport (about $12,134 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $7,518.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Louisiana State University Shreveport (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Shreveport students ($12,098 vs. $11,898).

LSUS vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUS 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 LSUS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University Shreveport (1100) is 90 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming LSUS 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: Louisiana State University Shreveport 1000/1195; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University Shreveport 18/24; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUS - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman LSUS students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than LSUS (50.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at LSUS vs. 37.4% at NSU.

LSUS vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUS 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).

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Louisiana State University Shreveport's (28%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Shreveport graduates have a $2,031 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, LSUS graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUS students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 41%)

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.