University of West Alabama vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL 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 University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 6,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama ($13,134 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 24.7% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,230 vs. $10,926).
• University of West Alabama is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,126 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at University of West Alabama than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $438 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama as at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (93% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 33.9% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($12,098 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is 20 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming NSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 37.4% at NSU.

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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).

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from University of West Alabama earn a median of about $400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $4,958 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($21,531 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($222 vs. $273).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

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.