NSU vs. Tougaloo College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Tougaloo College based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 1,301 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Tougaloo College is in Tougaloo, MS (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tougaloo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Tougaloo College 9:1.

NSU vs. Tougaloo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Tougaloo College? 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 Tougaloo College ($13,134 vs. $14,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tougaloo College are 18.3% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,924 vs. $10,926).
• Tougaloo College is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,543 more per year; $12,407.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.4% higher at NSU than at Tougaloo College (about $7,245 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $12,407.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana as at Tougaloo College (93% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Tougaloo College students ($12,098 vs. $9,900).

NSU vs. Tougaloo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is 70 points higher than at Tougaloo College (940).
• Incoming NSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Tougaloo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Tougaloo College 790/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Tougaloo College 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Tougaloo College - Required.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tougaloo College (2.8).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Tougaloo College (59.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 10.2% at Tougaloo College.

NSU vs. Tougaloo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Tougaloo College? 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).

• Tougaloo College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Tougaloo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $13,473 lower median loan debt than Tougaloo College graduates ($21,531 vs. $35,004).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tougaloo College graduates ($222 vs. $361).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tougaloo College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 39%)

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.