Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,134 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 27.6% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($7,911 vs. $10,926).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,096 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at NSU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $3,962 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,098 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU? 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 NSU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1010) is 20 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and NSU? 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).

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of about $200 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,511 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)

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.