Kinesiology and exercise science
Ranked #299 of 459 for valueSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness · 25 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $51,722
- Ranked-college median: $53,707
- Median debt
- $25,750
- Ranked-college median: $21,500
Northwestern State University of Louisiana acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 92.5% (fall admissions, CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). 3,599 of 3,738 applicants were admitted. Middle 50% test scores: SAT Reading & Writing 448–610, SAT Math 418–553, ACT 18–24. Admissions details
What we know
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025- Students
- 5,519
Larger than 80% of colleges
National median 1,603
Northwestern State University of LouisianaMiddle half of collegesNational median
Check at the source
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Five questions match you to a college identity, then show where Northwestern State University of Louisiana sits for you.
Take the fit quizAdmissions
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admitted 92.5% of 3,738 applicants.
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Applicants3,738
92.5% of applicants were admitted
- Admitted3,599
34.6% of admitted students enrolled (yield)
- Enrolled (first-year)1,245
Middle 50% test scores
- SAT Reading & Writing
- 448–610
- 200800
- SAT Math
- 418–553
- 200800
- ACT Composite
- 18–24
- 136
Your chances
Check your chancesYour SAT or ACT against Northwestern State University of Louisiana- SAT, middle 50%
- 866–1163
- ACT, middle 50%
- 18–24
Cost & financial aid
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Average net price
$12,842
What students paid per year on average after grants and scholarships. Your price depends on family income.
Published price vs. what students paid
- In-state tuition & fees
- $9,370
- Out-of-state tuition & fees
- $20,158
- Average net price
- $12,842
Students receiving Pell Grants
- Pell Grant recipients
- 37.9%
Free tools
Plan your costs for Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Can I afford it?Loan payment against what its graduates earn
- How much can I borrow?Federal loan limits and what is left to cover
- Will I get a Pell Grant?Estimate this year's award from your SAI
- What would I repay?Monthly payments on $27,000 of loans
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A PDF that applies the 2026–27 federal aid rules to you and up to three colleges: Pell Grant, loan limits, the gap left and repayment.
Start with the Pell Grant estimator See a sample reportOutcomes
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
43.6%
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
70.9%
First-year retention
Students who return for a second year
Median earnings
$51,238
Former students who received federal aid
Where Northwestern State University of Louisiana ranks
- #299Best colleges for kinesiology and exercise scienceof 459 ranked
- #313Best colleges for nursingof 686 ranked
- #353Best colleges for criminal justiceof 379 ranked
Programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard, field of study, 2025
Bachelor's majors where Northwestern State University of Louisiana is ranked in CollegesRef's value rankings. Earnings are medians 4 years after graduating, for graduates who received federal aid; the tick on each bar marks the median of all ranked colleges in that field.
Nursing
Ranked #313 of 686 for valueRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing · 323 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $86,608
- Ranked-college median: $85,171
- Median debt
- $22,874
- Ranked-college median: $20,938
Criminal justice
Ranked #353 of 379 for valueCriminal Justice and Corrections · 56 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $44,267
- Ranked-college median: $55,481
- Median debt
- $26,975
- Ranked-college median: $21,500
Communications
Ranked #365 of 388 for valueCommunication and Media Studies · 27 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $37,273
- Ranked-college median: $56,130
- Median debt
- $22,045
- Ranked-college median: $19,593
Accounting
Ranked #377 of 408 for valueAccounting and Related Services · 37 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $60,861
- Ranked-college median: $76,108
- Median debt
- $28,000
- Ranked-college median: $20,500
Biology
Ranked #445 of 680 for valueBiology, General · 60 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $55,452
- Ranked-college median: $58,001
- Median debt
- $23,785
- Ranked-college median: $20,717
Psychology
Ranked #702 of 814 for valuePsychology, General · 120 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $44,492
- Ranked-college median: $51,007
- Median debt
- $27,000
- Ranked-college median: $21,000
Business
Ranked #857 of 986 for valueBusiness Administration, Management and Operations · 92 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $51,927
- Ranked-college median: $64,860
- Median debt
- $24,313
- Ranked-college median: $21,375
Academics
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Total students
5,519
Academic calendar
Semester
Carnegie classification
Master's university
A College or University that also has a large number of Master’s Degree programs.
Colleges like Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LA
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA
Nicholls State University-LouisianaThibodaux, LA
Location & details
Where the campus is, how far it sits from a major city, and other colleges within reach.
Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA, United States
Distances are straight-line miles, not driving distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.
Campus
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA, United States
- Public
- Master's university
Remote town
In a smaller urban cluster away from a large metro area.
- City
- Suburb
- Town (this campus)
- Rural
Nearest major cityHouston, TX · about 193 mi
In the city250 mi
- Calendar
- Semester
- Website
- nsula.edu
Colleges nearby
Central Louisiana Technical Community College48.9 miAlexandria- Louisiana College49.3 miPineville
Louisiana State University-Alexandria56.4 miAlexandria- Grambling State University58 miGrambling
Northwest Louisiana Technical College58.5 miMinden
Louisiana State University-Shreveport58.8 miShreveport
Colleges nearby
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College49 mi from Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Louisiana College49 mi from Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Louisiana State University-Alexandria56 mi from Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Grambling State University58 mi from Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Still have a question?
Ask about admissions, cost or campus life at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Answers come from CollegesRef data.
Ask CollegesRefSpecial features
What sets this college apart, grouped by theme, each with what it means and the data or editorial tag behind it.
CollegesRef editorial
Cost & aid
Affordable
Lower cost than many comparable colleges for a typical family.
Average net price $12,842 a year after aid
Athletics
NCAA Division I · The largest programs and athletic scholarships; big-time game days.
- D-INCAA Division I (this college)
- D-IINCAA Division II
- D-IIINCAA Division III
- NAIANAIA
- NJCAANJCAA
Tagged by CollegesRef editors as a big-time athletics school.
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Admit rate, net price and outcomes for Northwestern State University of Louisiana and McNeese State University, side by side.
Compare with McNeese State UniversityFrequently asked questions
What is the Northwestern State University of Louisiana acceptance rate for 2026?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admitted 92.5% of 3,738 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
How much is Northwestern State University of Louisiana tuition?
In-state tuition at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $9,370 and out-of-state tuition is $20,158 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $12,842 a year.
What is the average net price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
The average net price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $12,842 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
What is the graduation rate at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
43.6% of first-time, full-time students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
What colleges are similar to Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
The closest matches are McNeese State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Nicholls State University, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.
Sources
Last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Admissions
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Cost
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Outcomes
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Enrollment
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Figures come from federal reporting. Text marked “CollegesRef editorial” is our own summary, and similar-college lists come from CollegesRef matching. How we source data
