Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,021 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,606 C+
- 21% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,110,095.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northwestern State University of Louisiana Matters
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university in Natchitoches, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,519
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Northwestern State University of Louisiana
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 866–1163. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,606 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,021 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.14 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 93%, Northwestern State University of Louisiana welcomes a diverse range of students. It’s a solid choice for those interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, or Psychology. The campus vibe in Natchitoches is friendly and inclusive, making it a good fit for students looking for a supportive community as they pursue their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $47,021 within ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 44%, those who complete their studies often find solid opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability of the university is part of its appeal, with a net price of $13,606, which helps keep student debt manageable.
On that note, the median debt for graduates is $25,000, which is reasonable compared to potential earnings. The university attracts a mix of students, including those who are first-generation college attendees, making it a nurturing environment for personal and academic growth. If you're looking for a place where you can thrive without breaking the bank, this might be worth considering.
Rankings
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
- #19 Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana
- #19 Best Master's Programs in Louisiana
- #19 Best Business Colleges in Louisiana
- #21 Best Colleges in Louisiana
- #21 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana
- #22 Best Psychology Colleges in Louisiana
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwestern State University of Louisiana is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1088
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- SAT Range
- 866–1163
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 66%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,129
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
- Applicants
- 2,903
- Admitted
- 2,843
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $19,652, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,606. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,693 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,864
- Out-of-State
- $19,652
- Avg Net Price
- $13,606
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,693
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,261
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,549
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,077
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Northwestern State University of Louisiana — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of $47,021, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,485
- 8 Years
- $43,941
- 10 Years
- $47,021
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.53x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (341)
- 31%
- 100% (341)
- 31%
- 100% (341)
- 31%
- 100% (341)
- 31%
How Northwestern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwestern State University of Louisiana delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,606/year ($54,424 total). Graduates earn $47,021 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,164,519 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,110,095 (21.4× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,424
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,164,519
- Net Return
- $1,110,095
- ROI Multiple
- 21.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,606
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,798,242
Top Programs
The fields Northwestern State University of Louisiana awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 32% $75,243 early-career
- Humanities 28% $53,798 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8% $42,610 early-career
- Psychology 5% $30,583 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $37,422 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $36,132 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2% $34,303 early-career
- Education 2% $48,651 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Northwestern State University of Louisiana's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $19,652, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,606. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,693 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn a median of $47,021, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
- California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA · Close peer48% grad $47,626 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern IndianaEvansville, IN · Close peer50% grad $47,605 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Close peer49% grad $48,472 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA · Close peer42% grad $44,544 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA · Close peer52% grad $46,769 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · Close peer54% grad $45,415 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note