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Northwest State University of Louisiana is a mid-sized, public university founded in 1884. It is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, which is a river port and not far from Shreveport. The school is also almost equal in distance to New Orleans, as well as Dallas and Houston, Texas. Many of the nearly 11,000 students, of whom 90% are undergraduate students, take day trips and weekend trips to explore everything the region has to offer.
Overview of Northwest State University of Louisiana
Students will benefit from the grandiose and historical architecture in many of the original buildings. Within the infrastructure, students can participate in undergraduate degree programs, certificate programs, and graduate programs in a wide range of studies. These programs are designed to prepare students to become highly productive members of communities in an inclusive and participatory manner. A number of services are available to support students in all programs, as well as centers and labs.
To provide program participants with a complete higher learning experience, NSU offers over 100 student organizations and clubs. It is also possible to participate in intramural sports, collegiate athletics, Greek life, leadership opportunities, and student government. A health and wellness center is available, as well as various student technology labs.
General Information
School Type | Public |
---|---|
Campus Setting | Town: Remote |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 20:1 |
Graduation Rate | 44% |
Year Founded | 1884 |

Student Enrollment
Total Students10,900
9,825
1,075
Undergraduate Student
Male 2,849
Female 6,976
Graduate Student
Male 312
Female 763
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#24 in Criminal Justice Colleges

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Admissions
APPLICATIONS4,035
ACCEPTANCE3,309
Acceptance Rate82%
Enrollment 1,522
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | $20 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | NA |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Required |
Recommendations | NA |
SAT/ACT | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | October 15 |
Common Application Accepted | No |
Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
Students at NSU pay different prices for tuition based on the state of residence and in-person versus online degree programs. In-state students can expect to pay $8,768 while out-of-state students pay $19,556. All students will have to pay another $15,000 or more for basic living expenses, course-related costs, and more. For anyone who plans to take trips or visit home, additional funds should be secured for these experiences.
Around 97% of students receive some type of financial aid through student loans, grants, and scholarships. This financial assistance helps to reduce the net price average to $12,336. Students can secure scholarships from a wide array of outside sources, as well as the university. Military students will be eligible for tuition assistance through various federal programs and online degrees cost the same as in-state tuition regardless of the state of residence.
Average net price | 2018-2019 |
---|---|
Net Price | $12,336 |
Average Total Aid | $10,000 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 97% |
Room & Board | $9,569 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $8,768
- Tuition Out-of-State - $19,556
- Books and Supplies - $1,300
- Room & Board - $9,569
- Other - $4,230
Academics
Academic programs at NSU are available at every level including undergraduate degrees, certificates, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Many programs are highly popular such as accounting and business, sciences, computer information systems, criminal justice, education, engineering, hospitality management, military science, mathematics, new media, nursing, and psychology and addiction studies. Many master’s degrees and doctoral degrees are concentrated in and around the education field of study.
Students can also pursue over 40 online degree programs. These programs are often taken advantage of by active military members so that they can continue to learn whilst serving the country. In fact, NSU is one of the most military-friendly universities in the country. All students will also have access to study abroad programs, internships, and support services. These support services vary but include advising, tutoring, career services, first-year programs, military assistance, and service-based learning opportunities.
NSU has a respectable retention rate for undergraduate students at 70%. The graduation rates are a bit low compared to the national average at 28% for four years and 45% for six years. One reason for these lower figures could be attributed to the higher student to faculty rate of 20 to 1. Other reasons could be that more and more students are completing online degrees while they work or that the university has a large number of active military students who may not finish a full degree here.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 10,900
9,825
1,075
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
Health Professions and Related Programs | 310 Total Graduates / 26% |
---|---|
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 203 Graduates |
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer | 67 Graduates |
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 20 Graduates |
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 20 Graduates |
All Business Majors | 157 Total Graduates / 13% |
Business Administration and Management, General | 103 Graduates |
Accounting | 27 Graduates |
Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 27 Graduates |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 138 Total Graduates / 11% |
General Studies | 128 Graduates |
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 10 Graduates |
All Psychology Majors | 104 Total Graduates / 9% |
Psychology, General | 104 Graduates |
All Biological & Biomedical Majors | 80 Total Graduates / 7% |
Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 78 Graduates |
Microbiology, General | 2 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 35% |
Outcome & Salary
As early as the first day of classes, students can utilize the services of the NSU Career Center. The center gives students access to dozens of services including assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviews, negotiations, and much more. The center also posts current job openings on a daily basis. These jobs are for part-time work, internships, and full-time job placement for all graduates. Alumni can also use these services for the lifetime of their careers.
Additional career development and job placement opportunities exist within the school. Various specialized career fairs occur throughout the year such as a part-time job fair, fall virtual career fair, graduate and professional school fair, and others. Services are also available specifically for veterans. The alumni association works with students to assist with course and degree selection, as well as professional preparation.
Graduates Salary | |
---|---|
College Grads Early Career Salary | $42,900 |
College Grads Average Salary | $61,319 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $65,800 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
---|---|
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $613,190 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,271,190 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $49,344 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $563,846 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,221,846 |
No Colleage Education Salary Comparison | |
---|---|
National Average Salary | $37,960 |
10 Year Projected Income | $379,600 |
20 Year Projected Income | $759,200 |

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