Northwestern State University of Louisiana
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 5,840 students.
About This School
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public institution located in Natchitoches, Louisiana with approximately 5,840 undergraduate students enrolled. Northwestern State University of Louisiana has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 94%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,809 per year. The graduation rate is 45%, and the typical graduate earns $39,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Johnson and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $13,809/year average net cost and only $15,000 median debt at graduation, this school is genuinely affordable, but a 45% graduation rate means fewer than half of students who start actually finish — that's a real concern worth taking seriously. If you're drawn to a small-town Louisiana campus with open admissions and a tight budget, this can work, but you'll want to go in with a clear plan, strong advising relationships, and honest self-awareness about what's kept so many students from completing. The $39,600 median earnings 10 years out is modest, so the value here depends heavily on your specific program and how intentional you are about finishing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,840 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
175 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002
Official Links
Other Schools in Louisiana
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA · Public
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA · Public
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA · Public
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA · Public
Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA · Public
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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