NSU vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Kean University 17:1.

NSU vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Kean? 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 Kean University than NSU ($12,708 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 40.2% lower than at Kean University ($10,926 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 61.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $5,435 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Kean than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $2,794 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Kean University (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($15,048 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Kean Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is 30 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Kean University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Kean (3.2).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 18.7% at Kean.

NSU vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Kean? 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($21,531 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.