NSU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; East Central University 18:1.

NSU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or ECU? 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 East Central University than NSU ($8,565 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 22.1% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,516 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $832 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at NSU than at East Central University (about $1,810 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at East Central University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 30.7% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($12,098 vs. $9,255).

NSU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or ECU? 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 ECU and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is the same as at ECU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU 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 ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 42.4% at ECU.

NSU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and ECU? 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 East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $4,653 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($174 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

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.