IU Southeast vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN 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 IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Southeast is located in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Indiana University Southeast 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: Indiana University Southeast 13:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

IU Southeast vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Southeast 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 Indiana University Southeast than NSU ($9,102 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 8.5% lower than at Indiana University Southeast ($10,926 vs. $11,940).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $440 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at IU Southeast than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $3,159 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Indiana University Southeast (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 64.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($12,098 vs. $7,347).

IU Southeast vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Southeast 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 IU Southeast.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Southeast (1080) is 70 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming IU Southeast 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: Indiana University Southeast 970/1180; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 20/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Southeast - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IU Southeast students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than IU Southeast (84.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.7% at IU Southeast vs. 37.4% at NSU.

IU Southeast vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Southeast 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 Indiana University Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Southeast earn a median of about $200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $1,270 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,261 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($209 vs. $222).
• More IU Southeast graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.