NSU vs. MUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than MUW based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 2,193 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Mississippi University for Women is in Columbus, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi University for Women is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Mississippi University for Women 10:1.

NSU vs. MUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or MUW? 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 Mississippi University for Women than NSU ($12,487 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi University for Women are 21.5% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,572 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MUW (about $372 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.4% higher at NSU than at Mississippi University for Women (about $11,160 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi University for Women than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Mississippi University for Women students ($12,098 vs. $9,635).

NSU vs. MUW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi University for Women (1020) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at MUW (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Mississippi University for Women 850/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Mississippi University for Women 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; MUW - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MUW students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than MUW (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 34.6% at MUW.

NSU vs. MUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and MUW? 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).

• Mississippi University for Women's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $300 more per year than MUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi University for Women graduates have a $6,531 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, MUW graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More MUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.