Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$13,606
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
43.2%
Admission rate
93%
Undergrad size
5,519
In-state tuition
$8,864
Out-of-state tuition
$19,652
Cost of attendance
$25,431
Median earnings (10y)
$47,021
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,088
- ACT midpoint
- 19
- Retention
- 70.9%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
20 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by health (34%), humanities & arts (28%), social sciences (15%).
- STEM7%
- Health34%
- Business9%
- Humanities & arts28%
- Social sciences15%
- Trades & services7%
- Health professions33.7%~1,859 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Liberal arts21.8%~1,200 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Business9.2%~507 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Psychology7.4%~410 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~229 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~194 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~180 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~159 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~149 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Education2.2%~121 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication1.7%~94 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~87 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Agriculture1.5%~80 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science1.4%~76 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.2%~66 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English0.7%~38 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.6%~31 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~24 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.1%~7 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~7 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 611 | $63,885 | $25,638 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 525 | $32,129 | $23,735 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 261 | $29,380 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 228 | $26,391 | $26,959 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 209 | $33,378 | $28,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate's | 208 | $63,860 | $31,250 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 170 | $21,223 | $26,821 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 158 | $90,397 | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor's | 150 | $52,493 | $26,797 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 107 | $41,552 | $29,371 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 106 | $41,907 | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 105 | — | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 104 | $27,145 | $31,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 93 | $25,591 | $28,875 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 67 | $52,057 | $29,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 57 | $23,397 | $24,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 55 | $39,767 | $23,662 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 54 | $23,268 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 51 | $26,440 | $21,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Graduate certificate | 51 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 49 | $15,802 | $22,250 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 45 | $37,774 | — |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 38 | — | $27,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 37 | $57,708 | $42,605 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 36 | $32,570 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 36 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Graduate certificate | 35 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 35 | — | $22,885 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master's | 31 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 28 | $25,607 | — |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate's | 26 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Doctoral | 26 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 26 | $51,023 | $25,625 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master's | 24 | — | — |
| Homeland Security. | Master's | 23 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 22 | $45,971 | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 22 | — | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 21 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 20 | $41,881 | $27,962 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Graduate certificate | 20 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a large institution located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 5,519 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Liberal arts, Business.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $13,606 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $8,864 for in-state students and $19,652 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $25,431 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 43.2%, a average completion outcome. 70.9% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $47,021 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Northwestern State University of Louisiana confers degrees and certificates across 20 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Liberal arts, Business. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by health (34% of credentials), humanities & arts (28% of credentials), social sciences (15% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Northwestern State University of Louisiana accepts 93% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,088. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 19.
Location & campus
Set in Natchitoches, Louisiana (town), Northwestern State University of Louisiana draws students from across Louisiana and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Q.How much does Northwestern State University of Louisiana cost?
The average net price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $13,606 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $25,431.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a 6-year graduation rate of 43.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admits 93% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduate earns $47,021 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Published tuition is $8,864 in-state and $19,652 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Northwestern State University of Louisiana located?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana (ZIP 71497).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Northwestern State University of Louisiana at their official website.