NSU vs. Salem State University

Should I go to Northwestern State University of Louisiana or Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Salem State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs. Salem State University comparison
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Salem State University College 3 College 4
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Salem State University
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Overview

NSU Salem State University
Location Natchitoches, LA Salem, MA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,389 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #975 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nsula.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $5,180 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $15,968 $7,050
Room & Board $10,269 $14,954
Avg Net Price $14,238 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $9,499 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 99%

Admission

NSU Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,903 5,093
Admitted 2,843 4,719
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 92.7%
Enrolled % 35.9% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 955/1135 986/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2024

Academics

NSU Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

NSU Salem State University
Graduation Rate 37% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,531 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $248

Diversity

NSU Salem State University
% Men 29% 31%
% Women 71% 69%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 54% 68%
% Black 31% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 12%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

NSU Salem State University
% In-State 98% 90%
% Out-of-State 2% 8%

Campus

NSU Salem State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 6,539 students)

NSU vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Salem State University?

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 469.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($5,180.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 126.5% higher at NSU than Salem State University ($15,968.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Salem State University ($14,238 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 45.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($10,269 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 10.9% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,499 vs. $8,562)

NSU vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Salem State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem State University or NSU .

  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Salem State University (92.7%)

NSU vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Salem State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Salem State University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (42% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $6,300 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $38,100)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $2,469 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($21,531 vs. $24,000)
  • NSU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($222 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University 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/