NSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

NSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate ($13,134 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 3.6% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,533 vs. $10,926).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,724 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $3,438 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (97% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 12.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($12,098 vs. $10,719).

NSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

NSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• University of South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $969 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.