Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana · Public · 92.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 38/100 · Poor Value
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a regional public university in Natchitoches scoring 38 on the CampusROI scale -- Poor Value tier. The cost picture is reasonable for a Louisiana public: $8,864 in-state tuition, $19,652 out-of-state, $13,606 average net price, and a $54,424 four-year total. Outcomes are the bottleneck. 10-year median earnings of $47,021 produce a 22.1% earnings premium (sub-score 48) and a 16.2-year payback period (sub-score 35). Median debt of $25,000 against those earnings yields a 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 28). Repayment at 73.6% (sub-score 50) is mediocre, and the 43.2% completion rate (sub-score 27) is the weakest input. The institutional pattern mirrors many regional Louisiana publics: a single dominant program (nursing -- 293 graduates, B+ grade, $86,608 four-year earnings) carries the strong outcomes while large weak-outcome cohorts in liberal arts (144), psychology (113), and biology (100) drag the institutional score down. The honest read: NSULA is a defensible choice for nursing-track or business students, but the 43% completion rate is a significant financial risk for marginal students.
The data raises concerns about Northwestern State University of Louisiana
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score38/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,864/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,652/yr |
| Average net price | $13,606/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $54,424 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,021 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 43.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,519 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is $8,864/year ($19,652/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $13,606/year, or roughly $54,424 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,693/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,077/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $47,021 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.70 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,693 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,261 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,549 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,777 |
| $110,001+ | $19,077 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $11,693 net annually, slightly below the $30,001-$48,000 bracket's $12,261 -- a clean low-end progression. Over four years that is roughly $47,000 of cost. For Pell-eligible Louisiana students this is workable, particularly with TOPS state aid. The 43% completion rate is the dominant financial risk.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households at $48,001-$75,000 pay $12,549 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $17,777 -- $50,000-$71,000 over four years. The math at this tier depends entirely on major selection: nursing students see strong ROI, while humanities and social-science students at the same price point see weak outcomes. LSU and ULL (Louisiana-Lafayette) are reasonable alternative comparisons for stronger students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $19,077 net, or about $76,000 over four years. At this tier students should compare carefully against LSU-Baton Rouge, which delivers materially stronger outcomes for academically prepared students at a similar price point.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $86,608 | B+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $47,652 | D |
| Psychology | $44,492 | D |
| Biology | $55,452 | F |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,927 | D |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $66,559 | C+ |
| Social Work | $47,296 | D |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,373 | F |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,267 | F |
| Accounting | $60,861 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is NSULA's flagship by an enormous margin -- 293 graduates per year, the largest single cohort in the entire program list and one of the largest BSN-producing programs in Louisiana. Graduates earn $74,935 at one year and $86,608 at four years against $25,638 of debt -- a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ grade. Career placement spans Louisiana hospital systems (Ochsner, LSU Health Shreveport, CHRISTUS Health) and many graduates relocate to Texas for higher RN wages. By far the strongest ROI track at the school.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment graduates earn $58,627 at one year and $66,559 at four years against $26,797 of debt -- a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ grade. With 64 graduates per year this is one of NSULA's stronger non-nursing health-track cohorts. Career endpoints typically include radiologic technology, sonography, and respiratory therapy.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is one of the larger cohorts at 91 graduates per year. Graduates earn $37,020 at one year and $51,927 at four years against $28,750 of debt -- a 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. The four-year earnings figure is below the institutional median and reflects Louisiana's relatively weak corporate labor market outside Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Psychology
Psychology is a large cohort at 113 graduates per year, but financially weak. Graduates earn $32,765 at one year and $44,492 at four years against $26,959 of debt -- a 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. As is typical for bachelor's psychology, well-paid clinical paths require master's or doctoral training; this should be considered a stepping-stone bachelor's rather than a terminal degree.
Biology
Biology is one of the largest cohorts at 100 graduates per year. Graduates earn just $25,078 at one year and $55,452 at four years against $26,821 of debt -- a 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F grade at year one. The strong four-year figure suggests significant progression to graduate or professional school (med, dental, PA), but bachelor's-only outcomes are weak. Pre-health students should expect to pursue further training to unlock earnings.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 73.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 62.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 61.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 92.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 418-553 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 448-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 5,519 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,129 |
NSULA admits 92.5% of applicants -- effectively open access. SAT mid-50% ranges of 418-553 math and 448-610 reading, with an ACT mid-range of 18-24, indicate a broadly accessible academic profile with substantial range. The 43.2% completion rate is consistent with this open-access posture; over half of incoming students do not graduate, which is the dominant financial risk for borrowers. Selectivity is not the screen; major selection and academic preparation are.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
NSULA's CampusROI peer set includes Grambling State (LA), LSU-Alexandria, University of North Alabama, Idaho State, and Dalton State College (GA). Grambling is the closest direct Louisiana comp -- another regional public HBCU -- and posts comparable weak ROI metrics. LSU-Alexandria is a smaller LSU branch with similar outcomes. UNA and Idaho State are similar regional state universities with comparable ROI profiles. Dalton State is a smaller mostly-undergrad public that performs roughly similarly. Within this peer set NSULA sits in the middle.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (this school) | 38 | $13,606 | $47,021 |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | 43 | $7,065 | $42,205 |
| Dalton State College | 41 | $5,012 | $40,251 |
| University of North Alabama | 38 | $12,170 | $45,415 |
| Idaho State University | 38 | $12,193 | $45,608 |
| Grambling State University | 12 | $19,809 | $41,109 |
Who Thrives Here
With 5,519 students, a 35.2% Pell rate, and a Louisiana regional public mission, NSULA fits in-state students looking for an affordable bachelor's, especially those targeting nursing (the school's flagship). The 293-graduate nursing cohort alone is exceptional and produces $86,608 four-year earnings at a B+ grade -- one of the strongest single-program ROI cases in Louisiana. Outside nursing and allied health, outcomes are mediocre to weak, with multiple programs posting D or F ROI grades.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Northwestern State University of Louisiana. With a net cost of $13,606 per year and median graduate earnings of only $47,021 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 43.2% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,000 against $47,021 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.