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Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA · Town · 5,519 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,606
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
44%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$47,021
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
93%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Founded in 1884, Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is best known for its premier School of Creative and Performing Arts, highly regarded nursing and allied health programs, and a historic foundation in teacher education. A major point of distinction is the Louisiana Scholars’ College, the state’s officially designated public honors college for the liberal arts and sciences, which offers an immersive, seminar-based curriculum. Campus life is shaped by deep-rooted Southern traditions and NCAA Division I Demon athletics, nestled in the charming, historic riverfront town of Natchitoches.

Wikipedia:The Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Johnson and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.

Location
Natchitoches, LA, 71497-0002 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IAH · Houston Intercontinental
181 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,864$19,652
Housing & food (on campus)$10,926$10,926
Books & supplies$1,353$1,353
Cost of attendance$25,431$30,415
Average net price$13,606Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,652
In-state: $8,864
Housing & food (on campus)$10,926
Books & supplies$1,353
Cost of attendance$30,415
In-state: $25,431
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $13,606
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.nsula.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$10,772
Housing$11,761
Books & supplies$1,385
Personal expenses$2,742
Transportation$3,755
Total published by the school$30,415
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,693
$30–48k
$12,261
$48–75k
$12,549
$75–110k
$17,777
$110k+
$19,077
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
44%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
30%
Back for yr 2
71%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
48% graduated · 29% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 22% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,485
10 yrs after entry$47,021
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25k
90th percentile$36,250
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
93%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1088
R 448–610 · M 418–553
ACT midpoint
19
Comp 18–24 · E 17–24 · M 16–23
SAT middle 50%: 866–1163
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Northwestern State University of Louisiana asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 29%Women 71%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
35%
First-gen
42%
Family income
$30,223
Independent
39%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
24.0
Part-time
25%
Race & ethnicity
White
53%
Hispanic
6%
Black
29%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
2%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$39,485
After 10 yrs
$47,021
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing293
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities144
Psychology, General113
Biology, General100
Business Administration, Management and Operations91
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions64
Social Work53
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services50
Criminal Justice and Corrections46
Accounting and Related Services38
Information Science/Studies34
Communication and Media Studies28
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness28
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods25
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft25
Hospitality Administration/Management23
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$19M
Full-time faculty
66%
Faculty salary
$7,129/mo
Teaching spend
$6,994
per student
Federal loans
35%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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