NSU vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,315 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); Rutgers University Newark is in Newark, NJ (Large City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Rutgers University Newark 14:1.

NSU vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark ($13,134 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 32% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($10,926 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 94.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $8,386 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.1% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $17,110 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Rutgers University Newark (93% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($17,405 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University Newark (1150) is 140 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Rutgers University-Newark students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

NSU vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Rutgers University-Newark? 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $28,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $684 lower median loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($222 vs. $229).
• More Rutgers University-Newark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.