NSU vs. College of the Ozarks

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than College of the Ozarks based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 1,454 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); College of the Ozarks is in Point Lookout, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Ozarks is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; College of the Ozarks 14:1.

NSU vs. College of the Ozarks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or College of the Ozarks? 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 College of the Ozarks than NSU ($11,637 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Ozarks are 19.5% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,800 vs. $10,926).
• College of the Ozarks is 151.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $13,456 more per year; $22,320.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at College of the Ozarks than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $2,668 more per year; $22,320.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Ozarks than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Ozarks students is 82.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($22,097 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. College of the Ozarks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or College of the Ozarks? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of the Ozarks and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at College of the Ozarks (1140) is 130 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming College of the Ozarks students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; College of the Ozarks 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; College of the Ozarks 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; College of the Ozarks - Required.
• Enrolled freshman College of the Ozarks students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than College of the Ozarks (12%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 81.1% at College of the Ozarks.

NSU vs. College of the Ozarks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and College of the Ozarks? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• College of the Ozarks's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than College of the Ozarks graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $36,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.