Northwestern State University of Louisiana

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Natchitoches, LA
  • 0 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

Overview

Total enrollment

8,523
Northwestern State University of Louisiana overview
Northwestern State University of Louisiana overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Northwestern State University of Louisiana occupies a historic campus in Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory, located approximately 70 miles south of Shreveport. The institution, established in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School for teacher education, now operates as a comprehensive public university with its main campus characterized by brick buildings and colonial-style architecture alongside modern academic facilities. The university maintains a moderate admissions profile and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple colleges, with notable strengths in nursing, education, business, and creative and performing arts. NSU's College of Nursing and School of Allied Health serves as one of Louisiana's primary providers of nursing education, operating satellite campuses in Alexandria, Shreveport, and Leesville. The university provides on-campus housing through multiple residence halls and apartments, while its athletic programs compete in NCAA Division I as the Demons and Lady Demons.

Ratings

NSU is rated within the lower 32% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    3 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 866/1163
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/24
  • GPA 3.3

Acceptance Rate

92.5%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 37.4%
  • Application Fee $20

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Louisiana Resident Tuition

$8,864

Out of State Resident Tuition

$19,652

Breakdown

In State Costs for Northwestern State University of Louisiana
  • Tuition $8,864
  • Books and Supplies $1,353
  • Other Fees $3,684
  • Room and Board $10,926
  • Budget for Other Expenses $6,167
  • Total One Year Cost $30,994

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$38,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

37% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Liberal Arts and Humanities, Health Professions, and Business. 39% of students major in Liberal Arts and Humanities, 19% in Health Professions, and 9% in Business.

  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 39%
  • Health Professions 19%
  • Business 9%
  • Psychology 7%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Northwestern State University of Louisiana are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=160038.

GPA calculator: Northwestern State University of Louisiana GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026