NSU vs. SUNO

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Southern University at New Orleans in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than SUNO based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 2,468 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Southern University at New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern University at New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Southern University at New Orleans 13:1.

NSU vs. SUNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or SUNO? 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 SUNO ($13,134 vs. $14,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 3.6% lower than at Southern University at New Orleans ($10,926 vs. $11,337).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNO (about $810 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,054.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at NSU than at Southern University at New Orleans (about $2,698 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $16,954.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Southern University at New Orleans (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Southern University at New Orleans students ($12,098 vs. $11,231).

NSU vs. SUNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is 70 points higher than at SUNO (940).
• Incoming NSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at SUNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Southern University at New Orleans 820/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Southern University at New Orleans 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; SUNO - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNO Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SUNO (2.4).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than SUNO (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 3.2% at SUNO.

NSU vs. SUNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and SUNO? 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).

• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than SUNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $2,817 lower median loan debt than SUNO graduates ($21,531 vs. $24,348).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNO graduates ($222 vs. $251).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNO students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 22%)

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.