Western Illinois University vs. NSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Illinois University vs. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
Western Illinois University Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

 Western Illinois University NSU
Location Macomb, IL Natchitoches, LA
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $15,968
Room & Board $10,500 $10,269
Avg Net Price $11,213 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 89%

Admission

 Western Illinois University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,903
Admitted 6,914 2,843
Acceptance Rate 75% 97.9%
Enrolled % 15.5% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 880/1090 955/1135
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University NSU
Graduation Rate 53% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $255 $222

Diversity

 Western Illinois University NSU
% Men 43% 29%
% Women 57% 71%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 54%
% Black 19% 31%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Western Illinois University NSU
% In-State 89% 98%
% Out-of-State 10% 2%

Campus

 Western Illinois University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or NSU?

  • Western Illinois University is 83.7% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.8% higher at NSU than Western Illinois University ($15,968.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than NSU ($11,213 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 2.2% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,269 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 64.6% larger than aid received Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($15,632 vs. $9,499)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 38 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (53% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $7,900 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $38,100)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $3,173 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($21,531 vs. $24,704)
  • NSU graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($222 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/