University of Illinois Springfield vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL 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 University of Illinois Springfield based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,628 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield 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: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield than NSU ($10,809 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 10.7% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($10,926 vs. $12,242).
• University of Illinois Springfield is 38.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,388 more per year; $12,252.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at University of Illinois Springfield than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $2,365 more per year; $22,017.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Springfield than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($14,666 vs. $12,098).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Springfield (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming University of Illinois Springfield students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 37.4% at NSU.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield 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).

• University of Illinois Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $2,738 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($18,793 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($194 vs. $222).
• More University of Illinois Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.