NSU vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,730 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); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

NSU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than NSU ($10,832 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 6.9% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,176 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,156 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at NSU than at University of Houston Downtown (about $2,104 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of Houston Downtown (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 17.9% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($12,098 vs. $10,257).

NSU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and NSU.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 20 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

NSU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and University of Houston-Downtown? 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).

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $2,781 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 41%)

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.