University of West Alabama vs. NSU

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of West Alabama vs. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
University of West Alabama Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of West Alabama NSU
Location Livingston, AL Natchitoches, LA
Setting Remote Rural Remote Town
Enrollment 5,860 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $15,968
Room & Board $7,820 $10,269
Avg Net Price $13,786 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 89%

Admission

University of West Alabama NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 2,903
Admitted 2,156 2,843
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 97.9%
Enrolled % 14.4% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21 18/23
SAT Range 880/980 955/1135
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama NSU
Graduation Rate 28% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $273 $222

Diversity

University of West Alabama NSU
% Men 25% 29%
% Women 75% 71%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 54%
% Black 40% 31%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

University of West Alabama NSU
% In-State 81% 98%
% Out-of-State 13% 2%

Campus

University of West Alabama NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or NSU?

  • University of West Alabama is 75.7% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14% higher at University of West Alabama than Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($18,200.00 vs. $15,968.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than NSU ($13,786 vs. $14,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 31.3% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($7,820 vs. $10,269)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama as Northwestern State University of Louisiana (89% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 2.2% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($9,499 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or University of West Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 78 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

University of West Alabama vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than University of West Alabama (37% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $38,100)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana students graduate with a $4,958 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($21,531 vs. $26,489)
  • NSU graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($222 vs. $273)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/