Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Natchitoches, Louisiana |
| Online | nsula.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana occupies a historic campus in Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory, located approximately 70 miles south of Shreveport. The institution, established in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School for teacher education, now operates as a comprehensive public university with its main campus characterized by brick buildings and colonial-style architecture alongside modern academic facilities. The university maintains a moderate admissions profile and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple colleges, with notable strengths in nursing, education, business, and creative and performing arts. NSU's College of Nursing and School of Allied Health serves as one of Louisiana's primary providers of nursing education, operating satellite campuses in Alexandria, Shreveport, and Leesville. The university provides on-campus housing through multiple residence halls and apartments, while its athletic programs compete in NCAA Division I as the Demons and Lady Demons.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
NSU is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northwestern State University of Louisiana within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#869 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#333 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in Louisiana
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Louisiana
#32 in Best Value Colleges in Louisiana
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 925/1243 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.3 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $20 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Louisiana Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $3,684 |
| Room and Board | $10,617 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,924 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,705 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $3,684 |
| Room and Board | $10,617 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,924 |
| Total One Year Cost | $37,493 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 39% |
| Health Professions | 19% |
| Business | 9% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering NSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=160038 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Current students may use the Northwestern State University of Louisiana GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025