UNO vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA 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 UNO based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 6,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Orleans is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• University of New Orleans 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 New Orleans 19:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

UNO vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNO 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 New Orleans than NSU ($12,258 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 3.2% lower than at University of New Orleans ($10,926 vs. $11,292).
• University of New Orleans is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $308 more per year; $9,172.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.3% higher at NSU than at University of New Orleans (about $5,644 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $14,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of New Orleans (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 12.3% larger than aid received by University of New Orleans students ($12,098 vs. $10,771).

UNO vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNO 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 UNO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of New Orleans (1090) is 80 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Orleans 935/1241; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Orleans 17/23; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNO - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNO Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at UNO (3.21).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than UNO (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at UNO vs. 37.4% at NSU.

UNO vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNO 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 New Orleans's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of New Orleans earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Orleans graduates have a $5,031 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($16,500 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, UNO graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More UNO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.