NSU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,472 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); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

NSU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($13,134 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 16.9% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,926 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 25.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,264 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at SFASU than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $3,774 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Stephen F Austin State University (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($12,098 vs. $10,694).

NSU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SFASU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

NSU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($21,531 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.