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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admits nearly everyone — 92.5% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Northwestern State University of Louisiana is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Northwestern State University of Louisiana anchors the college town of Natchitoches, LA, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $86,608 four years out. Faculty pay averages $85,548 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 5,519 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 70.9% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 925 and 1243 — near the LA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Northwestern State University of Louisiana's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 925–1243 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Northwestern State University of Louisiana's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 495 | 545 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 430 | 545 | 623 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Northwestern State University of Louisiana received 3,194 applications and admitted 2,994 (93.7%), with 1,033 enrolling.
How Northwestern State University of Louisiana compares
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Louisiana median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 92.5% | 78.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,864 | $10,272 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $47,021 | $47,477 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Northwestern State University of Louisiana's median earnings are $47,021 — below the Louisiana benchmark of $47,477. Weigh that against the $8,864 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Northwestern State University of Louisiana prices by residency: $8,864 in-state versus $19,652 out-of-state — a $10,788 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana enrolls 5,519 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Northwestern State University of Louisiana's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
43.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 57% don't — ask a Northwestern State University of Louisiana tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,608 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $74,209 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $67,765 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $66,559 |
| Information Science/Studies | $63,928 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,861 |
| Biology, General | $55,452 |
| History | $55,115 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,800 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,927 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,722 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,672 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,652 |
| Social Work | $47,296 |
| Psychology, General | $44,492 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,267 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $44,227 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $42,434 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $42,065 |
| Music | $39,223 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,273 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,229 |
Median earnings for these 22 Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $47,021 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 9 additional Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 925–1243 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 92.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Northwestern State University of Louisiana's acceptance rate?
93.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,994 admitted from 3,194 applicants.
How much does Northwestern State University of Louisiana cost?
In-state tuition is $8,864; out-of-state students pay $19,652. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $47,021 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Louisiana
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University — 98.7% admitted
- Nicholls State University — 90.8% admitted
- Loyola University New Orleans — 93% admitted
- Louisiana Tech University — 86.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.