NSU vs. Lander University

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Lander University based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,378 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Lander University is in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Lander University 18:1.

NSU vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Lander University? 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 Lander University ($13,134 vs. $15,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 9.7% lower than at Lander University ($10,926 vs. $12,100).
• Lander University is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,836 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Lander University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $1,648 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($12,232 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Lander University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Lander University? 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 Lander University and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lander University (1060) is 50 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Lander University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Lander University 950/1178.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Lander University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Lander University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Lander University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 22.7% at Lander University.

NSU vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Lander University? 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).

• The graduation rate at NSU is the same as at Lander University (37% vs. 37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Lander University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,000), 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 Lander University graduates ($21,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.