WestConn vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT 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 WestConn based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State University 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: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

WestConn vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 WestConn ($13,134 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 30.2% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($10,926 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 51.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,537 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at NSU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $2,751 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Western Connecticut State University (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($12,870 vs. $12,098).

WestConn vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 100 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 37.4% at NSU.

WestConn vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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).

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($21,531 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.