NSU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

NSU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($13,134 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 0.1% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,920 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $562 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at NSU than at Tarleton State University (about $1,510 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Tarleton State University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($12,098 vs. $7,929).

NSU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton 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 Tarleton (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

NSU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Tarleton? 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).

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $1,781 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($204 vs. $222).
• More Tarleton 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.