Arkansas vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Arkansas vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or NSU? 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 Arkansas ($13,134 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 23.3% lower than at University of Arkansas ($10,926 vs. $14,244).
• University of Arkansas is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,240 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Arkansas than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $10,314 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of Arkansas (93% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 37.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($12,098 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 120 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Arkansas vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and NSU? 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 Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $31 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Arkansas graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.