LSUA vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, 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 LSUA based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 6,815 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria 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: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

LSUA vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria than NSU ($8,296 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 12.2% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,598 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $1,814 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at NSU than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $5,002 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 60% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($12,098 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA 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 LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University Alexandria (1100) is 90 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than LSUA (92.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 37.4% at NSU.

LSUA vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $3,824 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,707 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($183 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.