NSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

NSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than NSU ($11,546 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 11.5% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,926 vs. $12,340).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,066 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.9% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $10,798 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($13,512 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saginaw Valley State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

NSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Saginaw Valley State 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).

• Saginaw Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $5,469 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($21,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Saginaw Valley State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.