NSU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (40,674 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); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; Texas State University 21:1.

NSU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Texas State? 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 Texas State ($13,134 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 13.5% lower than at Texas State University ($10,926 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,586 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Texas State than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $3,278 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Texas State University (93% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($12,556 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Texas State 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; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

NSU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Texas State? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $281 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.