NSU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

NSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than NSU ($13,134 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 3% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,600 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $19 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at NSU than at Northern State University (about $7,705 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (97% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 87.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,098 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU 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 NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU 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: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 35.2% at NSU.

NSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $2,868 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,531 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($222 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.