NSU vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Northwestern State University of Louisiana or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or Columbia Southern University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

NSU Columbia Southern University
Location Natchitoches, LA Orange Beach, AL
Setting Remote Town Distant Rural
Enrollment 9,389 15,948
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nsula.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NSU Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $5,180 $5,880
Tuition (Out of State) $15,968 $5,880
Room & Board $10,269 $8,136
Avg Net Price $14,238 $12,366
Avg Grant Aid $9,499 $4,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 42%

Admission

NSU Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,903 -
Admitted 2,843 -
Acceptance Rate 97.9% Open
Enrolled % 35.9% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.3 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 955/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

NSU Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

NSU Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate 37% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,531 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $222 $169

Diversity

NSU Columbia Southern University
% Men 29% 62%
% Women 71% 38%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 54% 58%
% Black 31% 23%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

NSU Columbia Southern University
% In-State 98% 8%
% Out-of-State 2% 90%

Campus

NSU Columbia Southern University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia Southern University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 9,389 students)

NSU vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Columbia Southern University?

  • Columbia Southern University is 13.5% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($5,880.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 171.6% higher at NSU than Columbia Southern University ($15,968.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than NSU ($12,366 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 26.2% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,136 vs. $10,269)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Columbia Southern University (89% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 128.7% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($9,499 vs. $4,154)

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Columbia Southern University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia Southern University or NSU .

NSU vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or Columbia Southern University? 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 Columbia Southern University and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Columbia Southern University (37% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $5,127 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($16,404 vs. $21,531)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($169 vs. $222)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia Southern University 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/