Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwestern State University of Louisiana at a Glance
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Johnson and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.
1884
142 years old
6,342
5,441 undergrad · 901 grad
916 acres
Identity
Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,021 — 13% below average — while paying $13,606/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northwestern State University of Louisiana has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northwestern State University of Louisiana compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in LA
Ranked #109 of 194 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #109 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | 38 | $13,606 | $47,021 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northwestern State University of Louisiana's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in LA.
Best Programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
The highest-earning program at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $16,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earns $62,700, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $16,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $21,562 in median debt vs. $23,150 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,606/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,700 | $62,700 | $21,562 |
| Information Science/Studies | $57,400 | $57,400 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $41,400 | $41,400 | $21,779 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,200 | $39,200 | $18,681 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,700 | $38,700 | $23,125 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $33,700 | $33,700 | $18,978 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,317 |
| History | $28,600 | $28,600 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,200 | $27,200 | $25,113 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,700 | $26,700 | $26,130 |
| Biology, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $22,437 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $24,844 |
| Psychology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $24,891 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,170 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $17,700 | $17,700 | $20,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $16,900 | $16,900 | $23,150 |
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Natchitoches, LA
- Student Body
- 5,519 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,606
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,021
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000