Northwestern State vs Columbus State

Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Columbus State University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Northwestern State, nestled in Natchitoches, Louisiana, boasts a smaller student body, resulting in a more intimate learning environment. Columbus State, located in Columbus, Georgia, offers a more diverse student population and a wider range of academic programs. While Northwestern State has a higher acceptance rate, Columbus State boasts a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Columbus State University logo

Columbus State University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana logo

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Overview

Location Columbus, Georgia Natchitoches, Louisiana
Campus setting City: Midsize Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 61.0% 64.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 78.5% 96.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $25
SAT range 870 - 1130 920 - 1120
ACT range 18 - 24 16 - 22
Students submitting SAT score 10.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 11.0% 88.0%
Total number of applicants 5,275 3,738
Total number of admissions given out 4,142 3,599
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,205 1,299
Yield rate 29.1% 36.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,563

Out of state: $34,617
In state: $25,094

Out of state: $35,882
Average net price $13,571 $13,500
Tuition
In state: $4,371

Out of state: $15,425
In state: $5,180

Out of state: $15,968
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,228

Meal plan: $4,400
Room/dormitory: $5,964

Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

94.0%
Average amount $7,234
93.0%
Average amount $9,347
Students receiving federal student loan 50.0%
Average amount $4,926
65.0%
Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $7,458
4.0%
Average amount $10,829

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,403
Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
9,622
Men 29.0% Women 71.0%
Graduate students 1,495
Men 32.6% Women 67.4%
1,113
Men 19.1% Women 80.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 5.6% 1.3%
International students 1.7% 1.5%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 1,467 1,492
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Georgia Alabama Florida Texas Ohio Louisiana Texas California Colorado Mississippi

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 19:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 42.7% 44.1%
Dropout rate 20.9% 52.7%
Transferred out 32.0% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,649
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $76,343
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $67,553
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,327
  • Year 2: $70,009
  • Year 3: $66,828
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,668
  • Year 2: $54,852
  • Year 3: $65,564
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,920
  • Year 2: $56,169
  • Year 3: $61,330
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,251
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $60,599
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,949
  • Year 2: $51,106
  • Year 3: $58,076
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,041
  • Year 3: $51,075
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,483
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $50,572
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,256
  • Year 2: $46,478
  • Year 3: $50,084
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $90,397
  • Year 2: $91,152
  • Year 3: $97,402
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,057
  • Year 2: $59,350
  • Year 3: $74,454
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,885
  • Year 2: $63,326
  • Year 3: $66,285
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,023
  • Year 2: $45,696
  • Year 3: $60,510
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,860
  • Year 2: $60,226
  • Year 3: $58,469
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,493
  • Year 2: $43,957
  • Year 3: $53,304
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,570
  • Year 2: $44,170
  • Year 3: $51,224
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,699
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $49,876
English Language and Literature, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,535
  • Year 2: $45,277
  • Year 3: $45,495
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,907
  • Year 2: $43,277
  • Year 3: $44,409

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