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Natchitoches , LA
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is a comprehensive university located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Established in 1884, NSU is the oldest continuously-operating institution of higher education in the state. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including education, nursing, business, sciences, liberal arts, and performing arts.
NSU is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. The university provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention and interaction with professors. NSU is also recognized for its excellent faculty and staff, who are dedicated to providing quality education and mentorship to their students.
Apart from academic excellence, NSU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. Students can engage in a variety of campus events, participate in athletics, or join student-led groups related to their interests. The university's location in Natchitoches, a historic city known for its Southern charm, provides students with a unique cultural experience and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Overall, Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides a well-rounded educational experience, combining academic rigor with a supportive community and a rich campus life. It serves as a platform for students to grow both academically and personally, preparing them for successful careers and lifelong learning.
Located in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University is a public university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 92%. The freshman retention rate at Northwestern State University is 69.85% and the six-year graduation rate is 46%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Northwestern State University.
Quick Facts
7,595
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
46%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Northwestern State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,740 in 2025.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 3.45% and ACT scores 88.11%. 5.56% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 8.33% between 1,200 and 1,399, 38.89% between 1,000 and 1,199, 36.11% between 800 and 999, 8.33% between 600 and 799, and 2.78% between 400 and 599. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 4.03, 22.85 between 24-29, 52.56 in the range between 18-23, 20.46 between 12-17, and 0.11 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.37. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Northwestern State University.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Northwestern State University was 69.85%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 46%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 8,523 students.
There was a total of 7,595 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 130 international students. 367 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,462 male and 3,138 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Northwestern State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 58, while the number of African American students was 1,579. 352 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 266 identified with more than one race. The school also had 11 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 77 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 97 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some important information on Northwestern State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Northwestern State University? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $5,180 for area residents. Tuition fees were $15,968 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at Northwestern State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $15,968, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,684.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $15,968 | $3,684 | $19,652 |
| In-State | $5,180 | $3,684 | $8,864 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,353.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Northwestern State University was $10,462 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, you had to pay $5,792 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 5,180 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,462 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,353 |
| Total Expense | $ 16,995 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Northwestern State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 793 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $16,551 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 2,917 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 3,198. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $18,155,166, and state $11,269,788. The students of Northwestern State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $5,802,041, and external in the amount of $6,368,025.
$4,908
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
256 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 99 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $18,155,166 while the state aid is $85,910. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,558,985. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $922,273 USD.
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Northwestern State University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 502. This number included 188 male and 314 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Northwestern State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about students' life at Northwestern State University.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Northwestern State University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a talent for media and communication? Northwestern State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
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Northwestern State University is located in Natchitoches, LA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Northwestern State University is 92%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Northwestern State University is 69.85%.
Contact Information
Northwestern State University
175 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches , LA
71497
318 357-6001
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
