NSU vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Northwestern State University of Louisiana or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Shepherd 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. Shepherd University comparison
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Shepherd University
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Overview

NSU Shepherd University
Location Natchitoches, LA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 9,389 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #975 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nsula.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $5,180 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $15,968 $15,774
Room & Board $10,269 $10,987
Avg Net Price $14,238 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $9,499 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 93%

Admission

NSU Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,903 1,690
Admitted 2,843 1,620
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 95.9%
Enrolled % 35.9% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 19/24
SAT Range 955/1135 930/1170
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

Academics

NSU Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

NSU Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 37% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,531 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $222 $229

Diversity

NSU Shepherd University
% Men 29% 37%
% Women 71% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 82%
% Black 31% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

NSU Shepherd University
% In-State 98% 64%
% Out-of-State 2% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 3,235 students)

NSU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Shepherd University?

  • Shepherd University is 21.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.2% higher at NSU than Shepherd University ($15,968.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than NSU ($9,827 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 7% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($10,269 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (93% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 29.6% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($9,499 vs. $7,328)

NSU vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 13 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming NSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Shepherd University (95.9%)

NSU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Shepherd 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 Shepherd University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (46% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $3,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $38,100)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $692 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($21,531 vs. $22,223)
  • NSU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans 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/