Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public institution located in Natchitoches, LA, offering 64 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides students with educational opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,864
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $13,809 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 93.74% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,840 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 44.63%
  • Average SAT Score: 1090

Costs

Tuition Costs

$8,864
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was $8,864.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$13,809
2024 Value

In 2024 Northwestern State University of Louisiana had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,809.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$55,236 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$13,809 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$35,456 4-Year In-State Tuition

$78,608 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Financial Aid by Income Level

34.88% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

36.68% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Northwestern State University of Louisiana was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

93.74% Acceptance Rate

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 1090

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4

Estimated Median GPA: 3.20

Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2024 is 5,840 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
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.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

32.20% 100% Completion Time

44.63% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 32.20% of students graduating from Northwestern State University of Louisiana completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Return on Investment

$25,000 Median Student Debt

$47,021 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

53.17% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

751.27% Return on Investment

5.3 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 501 completions

CIP 24.0102: 321 completions

General Psychology: 120 completions

CIP 51.0911: 96 completions

CIP 52.0201: 92 completions

General Biological Sciences: 60 completions

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration: 56 completions

CIP 19.0701: 46 completions

Social Work: 43 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 1,956 completions

Most popular programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Employment Outcomes

$39,485 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$43,941 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$47,021 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates.

About

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public institution located in Natchitoches, LA, offering 64 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 5,840 students. The admission rate is 93.74%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1090. The institution maintains a 44.63% graduation rate. Approximately 34.88% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002

Region: Southeast

Insights and Analysis

Diverse Program Offerings: With over 64 distinct degree programs, Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.