NSU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,073 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is in Indiana, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 23:1.

NSU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ($13,134 vs. $17,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 17.8% lower than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus ($10,926 vs. $13,286).
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is 28.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,516 more per year; $11,380.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at NSU than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (about $3,355 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $16,297.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus students ($12,098 vs. $9,154).

NSU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (1080) is 70 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (90.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 24% at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus.

NSU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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).

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $5,469 lower median loan debt than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($21,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.