Centenary College of Louisiana vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, LA 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 Centenary College of Louisiana based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 712 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centenary College of Louisiana is located in Shreveport, LA (Midsize City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Centenary College of Louisiana 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: Centenary College of Louisiana 8:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary College of Louisiana 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 Centenary College of Louisiana ($13,134 vs. $25,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 26.2% lower than at Centenary College of Louisiana ($10,926 vs. $14,800).
• Centenary College of Louisiana is 364.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $32,336 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.6% higher at Centenary College of Louisiana than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $21,548 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centenary College of Louisiana than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary College of Louisiana students is 186.1% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($34,617 vs. $12,098).

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centenary College of Louisiana 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 Centenary College of Louisiana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centenary College of Louisiana (1140) is 130 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Centenary College of Louisiana 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: Centenary College of Louisiana 1060/1210; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary College of Louisiana 20/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centenary College of Louisiana - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centenary College of Louisiana Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Centenary College of Louisiana students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Centenary College of Louisiana (55.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Centenary College of Louisiana vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centenary College of Louisiana 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).

• Centenary College of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Centenary College of Louisiana earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $4,469 lower median loan debt than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($21,531 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Centenary College of Louisiana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.