NSU vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

NSU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Shepherd 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 Shepherd University than NSU ($11,744 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 15.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($10,926 vs. $12,916).
• Shepherd University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $192 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at NSU than at Shepherd University (about $570 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 46.8% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($12,098 vs. $8,241).

NSU vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is the same as at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Shepherd University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NSU (3.3).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

NSU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Shepherd 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).

• Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $692 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($222 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.