NSU vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,665 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); University of Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

NSU vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or UL Lafayette? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than NSU ($13,017 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 9.8% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($10,926 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,554 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at UL Lafayette than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $4,494 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 2.9% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($12,098 vs. $11,762).

NSU vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 170 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming UL Lafayette 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; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

NSU vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UL Lafayette? 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).

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $2,031 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More UL Lafayette 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.