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Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania LSUS Penn State Schuylkill Robert Morris University Concord University Frostburg State University ULM UL Lafayette Millersville University of Pennsylvania| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | PennWest California | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
| Location | Natchitoches, LA | California, PA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 9,389 | 6,509 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #975 | #1033 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nsula.edu | calu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,180 | $7,716 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,968 | $11,574 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,269 | $10,416 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,238 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,499 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 89% | 0% |
Admission |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,903 | - | ||
| Admitted | 2,843 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 97.9% | |||
| Enrolled % | 35.9% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.31 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/23 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 955/1135 | 940/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 22, 2025 |
Academics |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 19:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,100 | $42,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 46% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,531 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $258 |
Diversity |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 29% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 71% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 54% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 31% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 98% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 2% | 13% | ||
Campus |
NSU | PennWest California | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 6,509 students)
NSU vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NSU or PennWest California?
- PennWest California is 49% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $5,180.00)
- Out of state tuition is 38% higher at NSU than PennWest California ($15,968.00 vs. $11,574.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 1.4% lower than costs at PennWest California ($10,269 vs. $10,416)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than PennWest California (89% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($9,499 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, NSU or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or NSU .
- The average SAT score at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 86 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
- Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
- Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at NSU (3.3)
NSU vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NSU or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and NSU.
- The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (53% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $4,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $38,100)
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $3,469 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($21,531 vs. $25,000)
- NSU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
- More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 46%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/