Northwestern State University of Louisiana

A logo of Northwestern State University of Louisiana for our school profile

northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana

Flexible NSULA Degrees Online and at Four Campuses

Northwestern State University of Louisiana appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Emergency Management Degrees. Ranked Washington Monthly’s 115th best Southern value, Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a 19:1 student/faculty ratio. It offers:
  • three associate degree programs
  • 33 bachelor’s degree programs
  • 24 graduate degree programs
These 34 online programs. Retention rate is 74.6 percent. The Nursing BSN is a 120-credit, CCNE-accredited Shreveport or Leesville/Fort Polk curriculum. it has five clinical semesters at Alexandria Rapides Regional Medical Center for RN licensure prep. In 2019, the 120-credit Computer Information Systems BS started streaming courses like Application Development online from Natchitoches. On Moodle, the Student Affairs in Higher Education MA is a 36-credit, 18-month online sequence. It involves two 16-week internships, such as Tulane University or Bossier Parish Community College. It also has NASPA Region III involvement. The Music Performance MM is a 32-credit, thesis-optional program. It offers $10,000 assistantships each year. There is a 300-member Marching Band and 400-seat Magale Recital Hall. Other Northwestern State opportunities include:
  • the Addiction Studies BS
  • English BA
  • Online BS Unified Public Safety Administration
  • Hospitality Management BS
  • Radiologic Science BS
  • Social Work BSW
  • Clinical Psychology MS
  • Homeland Security MS
  • Secondary Education MAT
  • Adult Learning EdD

About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana originated in 1884 as Louisiana State Normal School for teacher preparation. In 1885, Rep. Leopold Caspari succeeded in acquiring a campus at a former Religious Society of the Sacred Heart Convent. In 1918, the first Bachelor of Science debuted. Three years later, the Constitution amended its name to Louisiana State Normal College. It was fully accredited in 1941. It adopted the Northwestern State College of Louisiana title in 1944. In 1949, it started the state’s first public nursing program. By June 18, 1970,  NSULA gained university status. During the 2000s, Northwestern State University of Louisiana developed the region’s largest Global Campus. It’s endowed for $15.4 million, NSULA serves 9,452 undergrad and 1,120 post-grad students from 18 countries online and on three campuses. It has more than  with 100 clubs and organizations. In 2019, GI Jobs Magazine gave Northwestern State University the “Military Friendly School” Award. In 2017, NSULA received a prized spot on the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning’s Adult Learner 360 Coalition. The U.S. News & World Report ranked NSULA 75th nationally for online graduate nursing degrees. Niche ranked Northwestern State University of Louisiana America’s:
  • 19th best online courses
  • 222nd best Greek life
  • 234th top athletics teams
College Factual also ranked NSULA:
  • 110th for hospitality management
  • 73rd for information science
  • 186th for engineering technology

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Accreditation Details

NSUL is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). NSULA also has several programmatic approvals, such as:
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Application Requirements

Admission to Northwestern State University is labeled “moderately selective” by Peterson’s. It has a   62 percent acceptance rate. First-year students must finish the Louisiana Regents’ Core curriculum or a 19-unit equivalent. Only GED scores of 580 or higher total are sufficient. High school GPAs above 2.35 qualify for test-optional review. Otherwise, freshmen need a minimum 18 ACT English or 19 ACT Math score. SAT section scores should reach at least 450. Accuplacer scores over 86 for Sentence Skills and 65 for Elementary Algebra are also eligible. Undergrad transfers must have 18+ college-level credits, including Composition and Mathematics, for GPAs over 2.0. Foreign students generally must complete TLC Level 9 or a 500 TOEFL score. The Graduate School requires regionally accredited bachelor’s completion at a 2.75 GPA minimum. GRE General Test scores of 282 or higher are expected. Online MEd programs mandate valid K-12 teaching certification. The Doctor of Nursing Practice only admits licensed APRNs with master’s GPAs over 3.0. Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a freshman deadline of October 15th. Most transfers have rolling admission through August 15th for Fall and January 1st for Spring. Non-U.S. residents must apply by July 1st or November 1st. The Graduate School has priority dates of March 15th and October 15th. Assistantships are only available until June 15th and November 1st. Accordingly, complete the NSULA Application online for $25 ($30 if international). Official transcripts are forwarded to 175 Sam Sibley Drive in Natchitoches, LA 71497. For testing verification, utilize SAT/GRE code 6492 or ACT code 1600. Supplemental items include:
  • the immunization form
  • selected service verification
  • final Regents’ Core diploma
  • Accuplacer test
  • two reference letters
  • and a work/volunteer history
Direct further questions to (318) 357-4503 or recruiting@nsula.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Northwestern State University of Louisiana charged in-state undergrads $2,590 each term. Non-resident semester tuition was $7,984. The $1,331 registration fees, $273 Student Association fees, and $96 health services fee were extra. Living at the Natchitoches campus’ dorms added $2,702 to $3,869 by term. Meal plans were $725 to $1,870 each semester. NSULA budgeted $900 for books too. Annual traditional attendance equaled $22,672 in-state and $33,460 out-of-state. Online bachelor’s courses had flat-rate costs of $375 per credit. The Graduate School had an online price of $475 per credit. Campus-based graduate programs bill Louisianans $5,738 and non-residents $16,526 each year for tuition. Master’s and doctoral fees total $3,171 yearly. According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office gets 80 percent of NSULA students median assistance of $7,161. Institutional funds include:
  • the Richard Davis Scholarship Edwin Schroeder Athletic Scholarship
  • Jack & Nellie Clayton Memorial Scholarship
  • Pauline Jobe Scholarship for Women
  • Don Purser Memorial Scholarship
  • Sam & David Gallien Scholarship
  • Ann & Jack Brittain Family Scholarship
  • Joe Delaney Memorial Scholarship
  • Mike & Connie McConathy Scholarship
  • Coach John Ropp Scholarship
The Louisiana Go Grant gifts of $500 to $2,000 each year for eligible in-state undergrads. Other state options include:
  • the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students
  • Start Saving Program
  • Achieving a Better Life Experience Program
  • Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
File FAFSA forms coded 002021 to apply for:
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • SEOG Grant
  • TEACH Grant
  • Work-Study Program
  • Direct Loan amounts.
Search through 20 academic departments with 60 accredited programs at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana website.

Related Resources:

Featured Programs

30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration

30 Best Online RN to BSN (Bachelor’s Degrees In Nursing)

Top 30 Cheapest Online Business Degree College Programs 2023

50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students

Brenda Rufener
Author

Julie McCaulley
Expert

Carrie Sealey-Morris
Editor-in-Chief