NSU vs. MSU

Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Midwestern State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Midwestern State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NSU (92.5% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $11,215 vs $13,134 at NSU.
  • Graduation: NSU 37% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NSU $38,100 vs MSU $44,300 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Midwestern State University
Acceptance rate
NSU more selective
NSU92.5%
MSU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
NSU866-1163
MSU910-1100
Average net price
MSU $1,919 less
NSU$13,134
MSU$11,215
In-state tuition
NSU $1,716 less
NSU$8,864
MSU$10,580
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $7,122 less
NSU$19,652
MSU$12,530
Graduation rate
NSU +3 pts
NSU37%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU +$6,200
NSU$38,100
MSU$44,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NSU 3,015
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • NSU 2,790
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance rate
  • NSU 92.5%
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NSU 37.4%
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NSU 1010
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • NSU 21
  • MSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • NSU 3.3
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • NSU B+
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NSU Very Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NSU
  • MSU
  • SAT range
  • NSU 866-1163
  • MSU 910-1100
  • ACT range
  • NSU 18-24
  • MSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • NSU Test optional
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NSU
  • MSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NSU $8,864
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NSU $19,652
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & board
  • NSU $10,926
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average net price
  • NSU $13,134
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average grant aid
  • NSU $12,098
  • MSU $11,037
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NSU 93%
  • MSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • NSU 37%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NSU $38,100
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • NSU 46%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NSU $21,531
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median loan payment
  • NSU $222
  • MSU $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NSU 16:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • NSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Location
  • NSU Natchitoches, LA
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • NSU Remote Town
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • NSU 8,523
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NSU #928
  • MSU #878

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 1.8% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,926 vs. $11,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56.8% higher at NSU than at Midwestern State University (about $7,122 more per year; $19,652 vs. $12,530).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Midwestern State University (93% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($12,098 vs. $11,037).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NSU than at MSU (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NSU, test-free at MSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NSU average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at MSU (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $768 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($222 vs. $230).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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