NSU vs. Ole Miss

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (26,449 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 Mississippi is in University, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of Mississippi 18:1.

NSU vs. Ole Miss Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or Ole Miss? 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 Ole Miss ($13,134 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 13.3% lower than at University of Mississippi ($10,926 vs. $12,600).
• University of Mississippi is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $908 more per year; $9,772.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at Ole Miss than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $8,948 more per year; $28,600.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of Mississippi (93% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mississippi students is 3% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($12,455 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. Ole Miss Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mississippi (1100) is 90 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Ole Miss 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 Mississippi 1000/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of Mississippi 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; Ole Miss - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ole Miss students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NSU (3.3).
• Ole Miss has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 18.5% at Ole Miss.

NSU vs. Ole Miss Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and Ole Miss? 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 Mississippi's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Mississippi earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,700 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $1,531 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Ole Miss graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.