Head-to-head · 2026
Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs Southeastern Louisiana University
Compare average net price ($13,606 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana; $13,154 at Southeastern Louisiana University), ROI score (8.64 vs 8.83), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,021 vs $46,482), and admissions selectivity (92.5% acceptance at Northwestern State University of Louisiana; 99.3% at Southeastern Louisiana University) 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 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Southeastern Louisiana University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.64 | 8.83 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,606 | $13,154 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $54,424 | $52,616 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,864 | $8,373 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,652 | $20,851 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,021 ✓ | $46,482 |
| Acceptance rate | 92.5% | 99.3% |
| Graduation rate | 43.2% | 45.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.9% | 72.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $22,113 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,519 | 9,514 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1088 | 1090 |
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 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Southeastern Louisiana University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,693 | $10,507 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,261 | $10,309 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,549 | $12,380 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,777 | $16,672 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,077 | $18,184 ✓ |
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 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Southeastern Louisiana University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 23.9% | 9.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18% | 8.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.7% | 12.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6% | 4.4% |
| Psychology, General | 5.2% | 4.9% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 5.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.2% | 5.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.1% | 3.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southeastern Louisiana University reports the lower average net price by $452 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,808 difference over four years ($52,616 vs $54,424).
Northwestern State University of Louisiana reports $539 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,021 vs $46,482). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and 72.5% at Southeastern Louisiana University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $22,113, respectively.
8 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
Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs Southeastern Louisiana University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southeastern Louisiana University is cheaper — average net price $13,154 per year vs $13,606 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The annual difference of $452 adds up to about $1,808 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,021 vs $46,482 at Southeastern Louisiana University. The gap in the federal data is $539. 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 99.3% at Southeastern Louisiana 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.