NSU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 5,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

NSU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than NSU ($11,215 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 1.8% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,926 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,716 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.8% higher at NSU than at Midwestern State University (about $7,122 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Midwestern State University (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($12,098 vs. $11,037).

NSU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is the same as at MSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

NSU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and MSU? 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 Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $768 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.