Northwestern State University of Louisiana

https://www.nsula.edu

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    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $5,180
    2024 Average Net Price
    $13,134
    After Financial Aid
    2024 Acceptance Rate
    92.5%
    3,015 Applicants
    2024 Enrolled Students
    8,523
    54% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    44.7%
    614 Graduates

    About

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a higher education institution located in Natchitoches Parish, LA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Northwestern State University of Louisiana were Registered Nursing (323 degrees awarded), General Psychology (120 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (92 degrees).

    In 2024, 1,956 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. 75.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 24.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,197 degrees), 2.44 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $5,180, which is $−18,820 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMasters Colleges and Universities

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $5,180, which is $18,820 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,134.

    In 2024, 86% of undergraduate students attending Northwestern State University of Louisiana received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 35% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $5,180
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was $5,180. The cost of tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $−18,820 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) with those of other similar universities.

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    Average Net Price

    $13,134
    2024 Value
    0.167%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Northwestern State University of Louisiana had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,134. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Northwestern State University of Louisiana grew by 0.167%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

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    Other Student Expenses

    $10,977
    Room and Board
    $1,300
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was of $10,977 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 5.87% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,300. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) with that of similar universities.

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    Financial Aid by Income Level

    86%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    35%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    86% of undergraduate students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.18% with respect to 2023, when 85% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

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    Admissions

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana received 3,015 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 5.6% annual growth. Out of those 3,015 applicants, 2,790 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 92.5% acceptance rate.

    There were 8,523 students enrolled at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2024. 3% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana has an overall enrollment yield of 37.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

    Acceptance Rate

    92.5%
    Acceptance Rate in 2024
    2,790
    Accepted Out of 3,015

    In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana was 92.5% (2,790 admissions from 3,015 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 93.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 5.6%, while admissions declined by 6.81%.

    This chart compares the acceptance rate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

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    SAT Scores

    3%
    Submission Percentage (2024)
    36
    Scores Submitted (2024)

    3% of enrolled first-time students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

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    Enrollment

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana had a total enrollment of 8,523 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 4,600 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,923. This means that 54% of students enrolled at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, both undergraduate and graduate, is 57.2% White, 24.3% Black or African American, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.53% Two or More Races, 1.27% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.27% Asian, and 0.188% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (37.2%), followed by Black or African American Female (19.3%) and White Male (16.6%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (33%), followed by White Male (26.2%) and Black or African American Female (12.9%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    54%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 8,523 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 4,600 and the part-time enrollment is 3,923. This means that 54% of students enrolled at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Retention Rate over Time

    71%
    2024 Retention Rate

    Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was 71%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Northwestern State University of Louisiana had a retention rate lower than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      4,875 enrolled students
    2. Black or African American
      2,068 enrolled students
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      477 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 57.2% White, 24.3% Black or African American, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.53% Two or More Races, 1.27% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.27% Asian, and 0.188% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 322 students (3.78%) did not report their race.

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    Graduates

    In 2024, 1,008 more women than men received degrees from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is white (1,197 degrees awarded). There were 2.44 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

    The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is Registered Nursing (323 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (120 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (92 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Human Sciences (46 degrees awarded), Health (665 degrees), and Liberal Arts & Humanities (346 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Elementary & middle school teachers
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,689,114 people), Registered nurses (1,604,030 people), Secondary school teachers (515,790 people), Education administrators (334,073 people), and Other managers (281,322 people).

    The most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2024 are Human Sciences (46 degrees awarded), Health (665 degrees), Liberal Arts & Humanities (346 degrees), Education (192 degrees), and Psychology (128 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Surgeons, Correspondence clerks & order clerks, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Physicians, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

    The most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Human Sciences (46 degrees awarded), Health (665 degrees), Liberal Arts & Humanities (346 degrees), Education (192 degrees), and Psychology (128 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Common Industries by Major

    Elementary & secondary schools
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Elementary & secondary schools (3,358,098 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (1,908,658 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (536,777 people), Outpatient care centers (510,389 people), and Offices of physicians (274,371 people).

    The most specialized majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Human Sciences (46 degrees awarded), Health (665 degrees), Liberal Arts & Humanities (346 degrees), Education (192 degrees), and Psychology (128 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. General Studies
      230 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      96 degrees awarded
    3. Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician And Veterinary Assistant
      23 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was General Studies with 230 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana according to their major.

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    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    474
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    1,482
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 474 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, which is 0.32 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,482).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana by degrees awarded.

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    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 104 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in General Studies, which is 0.479 times less than the 217 female recipients with that same degree.

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    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 437 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Registered Nursing, which is 6.83 times more than the 64 male recipients with that same degree.

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    Time to Complete

    31%
    100% Completion Time
    47%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 31% of students graduating from Northwestern State University of Louisiana completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 50% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      1,197 degrees awarded
    2. Black or African American
      490 degrees awarded
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      101 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is white (1,197 degrees awarded). There were 2.44 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

    1.12% of degree recipients (22 students) did not report their race.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Female
      990 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      962 degrees awarded
    3. White Female
      922 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is white female (990 degrees awarded). There were 1.03 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (962 degrees).

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    Operations

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana has an endowment valued at nearly $18.9M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was not reported.

    In 2024, Northwestern State University of Louisiana had a total salary expenditure of 115M. Northwestern State University of Louisiana employs 158 Assistant professors, 67 Associate professors and 47 Professors. Most academics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are Female Assistant professor (102), Male Assistant professor (56), and Male Associate professor (37).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are: Management, with 98 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 88 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 72 employees.

    Endowment

    $18.9M
    2024 Endowment
    6.96%
    growth from 2023

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana has an endowment valued at about $18.9M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Northwestern State University of Louisiana grew 6.96% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $26.9M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

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    Salary Expenditure

    $52.9M
    2024 Salaries
    2.43%
    decline from 2023

    In 2024, Northwestern State University of Louisiana paid a median of $52.9M in salaries, which represents 45.9% of their overall expenditure ($115M) and a 2.43% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.12% decline between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.52% growth between 2021 and 2022.

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    Instructional Salaries

    $21.7M
    Instructional Salaries
    310
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Northwestern State University of Louisiana paid a total of $21.7M to 310 employees working as instructors, which represents 40.9% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

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    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern State University of Louisiana were Management with 98 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 88 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 72 employees.

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