NSU vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

NSU vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or UWT? 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 UWT ($13,134 vs. $13,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 33.3% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($10,926 vs. $16,371).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 48.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,304 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.9% higher at UWT than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $23,752 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($12,161 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. UWT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 21.5% at UWT.

NSU vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UWT? 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).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $27,700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $6,531 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.