Ozarks vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Ozarks based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 778 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Ozarks is located in Clarksville, AR (Remote Town setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• University of the Ozarks is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Ozarks 14:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Ozarks vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ozarks 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 Ozarks ($13,134 vs. $20,088).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Ozarks are 12.1% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,603 vs. $10,926).
• University of the Ozarks is 192.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $17,086 more per year; $25,950.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at Ozarks than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $6,298 more per year; $25,950.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Ozarks than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Ozarks students is 55.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($18,783 vs. $12,098).

Ozarks vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ozarks 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 Ozarks.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of the Ozarks (1090) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Ozarks students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Ozarks 1020/1160; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Ozarks 20/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ozarks - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ozarks students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Ozarks (59.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Ozarks vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Ozarks vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ozarks 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 the Ozarks's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of the Ozarks earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $1,009 lower median loan debt than Ozarks graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,540).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ozarks graduates ($222 vs. $233).
• More Ozarks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.