NSU vs. HBU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Houston Christian University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Houston Christian University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Houston Christian University 18:1.

NSU vs. HBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or HBU? 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than HBU ($13,134 vs. $21,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 15.5% lower than at Houston Christian University ($10,926 vs. $12,928).
• Houston Christian University is 344.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $30,566 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.6% higher at HBU than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $19,778 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 138.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($28,870 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. HBU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houston Christian University (1090) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at HBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Houston Christian University 990/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Houston Christian University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; HBU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman HBU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than HBU (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 10.5% at HBU.

NSU vs. HBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and HBU? 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).

• Houston Christian University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Houston Christian University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $2,635 lower median loan debt than HBU graduates ($21,531 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HBU graduates ($222 vs. $249).
• More HBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.