NSU vs. Howard Payne University

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 809 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Howard Payne University is in Brownwood, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Howard Payne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Howard Payne University 10:1.

NSU vs. Howard Payne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University ($13,134 vs. $25,750).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard Payne University are 6.6% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,200 vs. $10,926).
• Howard Payne University is 294.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $26,118 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78% higher at Howard Payne University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $15,330 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Howard Payne University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard Payne University students is 68.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($20,357 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Howard Payne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard Payne University (1020) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Howard Payne University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Howard Payne University 880/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Howard Payne University 16/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Howard Payne University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Howard Payne University (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Howard Payne University (67.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 27% at Howard Payne University.

NSU vs. Howard Payne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Howard Payne University? 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).

• Howard Payne University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Howard Payne 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, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $4,155 lower median loan debt than Howard Payne University graduates ($21,531 vs. $25,686).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard Payne University graduates ($222 vs. $265).
• More Howard Payne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.