NSU vs. SFASU

Should I go to Northwestern State University of Louisiana or Stephen F Austin State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU or SFASU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs. Stephen F Austin State University comparison
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Stephen F Austin State University College 3 College 4
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Stephen F Austin State University
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Overview

 NSU SFASU
Location Natchitoches, LA Nacogdoches, TX
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,389 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #975 #894
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nsula.edu sfasu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NSU SFASU
Tuition (In State) $5,180 $7,842
Tuition (Out of State) $15,968 $18,858
Room & Board $10,269 $9,642
Avg Net Price $14,238 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $9,499 $10,363
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 72%

Admission

 NSU SFASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,903 9,944
Admitted 2,843 8,901
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 89.5%
Enrolled % 35.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 955/1135 970/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

 NSU SFASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

 NSU SFASU
Graduation Rate 37% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,531 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $258

Diversity

 NSU SFASU
% Men 29% 36%
% Women 71% 64%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 54% 57%
% Black 31% 20%
% Hispanic 5% 16%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 NSU SFASU
% In-State 98% 98%
% Out-of-State 2% 1%

Campus

 NSU SFASU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Stephen F Austin State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 9,389 students)

NSU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or SFASU?

  • Stephen F Austin State University is 51.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,842.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.1% higher at SFASU than Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($18,858.00 vs. $15,968.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephen F Austin State University than NSU ($13,858 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 6.5% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,642 vs. $10,269)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Stephen F Austin State University (89% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 9.1% larger than aid received Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,363 vs. $9,499)

NSU vs. SFASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or SFASU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SFASU or NSU .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 7 points higher than at SFASU (1001)
  • Incoming NSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SFASU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SFASU (3.26)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than SFASU (89.5%)

NSU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU or SFASU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SFASU and NSU.

  • The graduation rate at SFASU is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn on average $6,500 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $38,100)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $3,469 lower median federal student loan debt than SFASU graduates. ($21,531 vs. $25,000)
  • NSU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than SFASU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/