Head-to-head · 2026
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University vs Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Compare average net price ($18,552 at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University; $13,606 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana), ROI score (8.01 vs 8.64), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,419 vs $47,021), and admissions selectivity (98.7% acceptance at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University; 92.5% at Northwestern State University of Louisiana) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.01 | 8.64 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,552 | $13,606 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,208 | $54,424 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $18,310 | $8,864 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,310 | $19,652 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,419 ✓ | $47,021 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.7% | 92.5% |
| Graduation rate | 45.5% ✓ | 43.2% |
| Retention rate | 63.9% | 70.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,672 | $25,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 821 | 5,519 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1088 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,014 | $11,693 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,008 | $12,261 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,370 | $12,549 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,488 ✓ | $17,777 |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,539 | $19,077 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 48.3% | 23.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 16.9% | 4.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.3% | 18% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.6% | 5.7% |
| Psychology, General | 0.6% | 5.2% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 1.3% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northwestern State University of Louisiana reports the lower average net price by $4,946 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,784 difference over four years ($54,424 vs $74,208).
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University reports $12,398 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,419 vs $47,021). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.9% at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University and 70.9% at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Median federal debt among completers is $27,672 vs $25,000, respectively.
6 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University vs Northwestern State University of Louisiana, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is cheaper — average net price $13,606 per year vs $18,552 at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University. The annual difference of $4,946 adds up to about $19,784 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,419 vs $47,021 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The gap in the federal data is $12,398. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is more selective at 92.5% acceptance vs 98.7% at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.