1884
Natchitoches, LA

About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University was established in 1884 in the old Bullard Mansion atop a hill overlooking the bustling riverport city of Natchitoches. The campus grew as the school expanded from a two-year degree for teachers at Louisiana State Normal School to a four-year education degree at Louisiana Normal College in 1921. In 1944, the school became Northwestern State College and then Northwestern State University in 1970. Northwestern State University is “…a responsive, student-oriented institution committed to acquiring, creating, and disseminating knowledge through innovative teaching, research, and service.”

NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in addition to professional certificates. Students requiring added flexibility may take advantage of the online programs at eNSU. Virtual coursework and online degree programs reflect that of on-campus counterparts. NSU online degrees are offered completely online, though certain courses may require proctored exams or campus visits to take exams.

Accreditation & Licensing

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Type:

4-year, Public

Highest Level Offered:

Doctor's degree

Religious Affiliation:

Not applicable

Enrollment:

Undergraduate: 9,367 ; Graduate: 1,177

Percent of Fully Online Students:

Undergraduate: 53% ; Graduate: 84%

Graduation Rate:

43%

Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:

$47,021

Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):

$25,000

Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:

86%

Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:

$8,495

Credit for Military Training:

Yes

Online Programs offered by Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Check Program Availability

All Programs

Art & Liberal Arts

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Associate of General Studies
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Bachelor of Arts in History
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Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
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Bachelor of General Studies
Master of Arts in Art
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Master of Arts in English
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Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / English Education

Business

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Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Analytics

Computer Science & IT

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Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
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Master of Science in Computer Information Systems

Criminal Justice, Safety & Law

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Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice / Pre-law & Paralegal Studies
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Bachelor of Science in Unified Public Safety Administration
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Master of Science in Homeland Security

Education

Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Child & Family Studies
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Doctor of Education in Adult Learning & Development
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Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership & Instruction / Educational Leadership
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Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership & Instruction / Educational Technology
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Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership & Instruction / Special Education
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
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Master of Arts in Adult Learning & Development
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Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Early Childhood Education, Grades PK-3
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Elementary Education & Special Education Mild/Moderate, Grades 1-5
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Elementary Education, Grades 1-5
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Middle School Education & Special Education Mild/Moderate, Grades 4-8
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Middle School Education, Grades 4-8
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Secondary Education & Special Education Mild/Moderate, Grades 6-12
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Master of Arts in Teaching / Secondary Education, Grades 6-12
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Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / Professional Teaching Standards for the Teacher Leader
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Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / Reading
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Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / School Librarian
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Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
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Master of Education in Educational Leadership
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Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership
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Master of Education in Special Education
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Intervention
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Educational Technology Leadership
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in English as a Second Language
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Reading Specialist
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in School Librarian
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education Mild/Moderate / Elementary 1-5
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education Mild/Moderate / Middle 4-8
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education Mild/Moderate / Secondary 6-12
Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership

Healthcare

Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health
Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (RT to BSRS)
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Master of Science in Health & Human Performance / Health Promotion
Master of Science in Radiologic Science

Nursing

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
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Doctor of Nursing Practice / Advanced Practice Leadership
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Doctor of Nursing Practice / Organizational Systems Leadership
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Master of Science in Nursing / Nurse Administrator
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Master of Science in Nursing / Nurse Educator

Psychology & Human Services

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Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies
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Bachelor of Science in Psychology
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Bachelor of Science in Psychology / Prevention Specialist
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Bachelor of Science in Psychology / Substance Abuse
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Social Work

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Frequently Asked Questions About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana accredited?

Yes. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is institutionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

How many online programs does Northwestern State University of Louisiana offer?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers 60 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.

What degree levels does Northwestern State University of Louisiana offer?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers programs from associate and bachelor's through master's and doctoral levels.

How should students contact admissions at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.

Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana expensive, and what are the tuition costs?

Roughly speaking, Northwestern State University of Louisiana falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.

How quickly can I enroll at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.

What should transfer students ask Northwestern State University of Louisiana first?

The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.

What GPA do most Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs require?

GPA requirements typically range from 2.0 to 3.0, and 2.5 appears most often.

Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana military friendly?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.

How can students request information from Northwestern State University of Louisiana through GetEducated?

Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.

What documents are most commonly required for Northwestern State University of Louisiana applications?

Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Occupational License, and Official High School Transcript/GED Score. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.

Does Northwestern State University of Louisiana accept life experience credit?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.

Are Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs fully online or mixed?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.

What kinds of online programs does Northwestern State University of Louisiana offer?

Northwestern State University of Louisiana has online program options in areas such as Education, Art & Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Psychology & Human Services; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.

Do any Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs have specialized accreditation?

Program-specific accreditors include Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); AACSB International (AACSB).

Are any admission tests required for Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs?

Some listed programs include GRE requirements, so students should check test expectations before choosing a program.

Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.

Do any Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs have state authorization limitations?

Some programs show state or location restrictions, so students should confirm eligibility for their state before applying. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.

How often can students start at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Northwestern State University of Louisiana, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.

How should working adults compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana programs?

Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.

Featured Ranking Reports

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is featured in 35 of our ranking reports!

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We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.

Geographic and Educational Overview

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Louisiana

Louisiana at a Glance:

State flag of LA
Baton Rouge
4,657,757
52,378 sq mi
14
10
12
$9,800.00

Top Incentives in Louisiana:

Top Career Pathways in Louisiana:

Energy Management
  • Entry Level: Field Engineer ($70,000)
  • Mid Level: Operations Manager ($110,000)
  • Senior Level: Energy Director ($165,000+)
  • Required Education: BS Petroleum Engineering
  • Certifications: PE, PMP, API Certifications
* Data is approximate and may be AI-enhanced