NSU vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

NSU vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or TLU? 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 TLU ($13,134 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 11.5% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($10,926 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 308.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $27,366 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.4% higher at TLU than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $16,578 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 105.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($24,861 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 120 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming TLU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at NSU (3.3).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 16.8% at TLU.

NSU vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and TLU? 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).

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 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 TLU graduates ($21,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.