Head-to-head · 2026
Northwestern State University of Louisiana vs University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Compare average net price ($13,606 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana; $13,530 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette), ROI score (8.64 vs 8.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,021 vs $47,089), and admissions selectivity (92.5% acceptance at Northwestern State University of Louisiana; 87% at University of Louisiana at Lafayette) 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 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.64 | 8.70 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,606 | $13,530 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $54,424 | $54,120 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,864 | $10,418 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,652 | $24,146 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,021 | $47,089 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 92.5% | 87% |
| Graduation rate | 43.2% | 52.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.9% | 74.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $22,902 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,519 | 12,428 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1088 | 1219 |
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 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,693 | $11,157 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,261 | $11,283 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,549 ✓ | $13,692 |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,777 | $17,079 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,077 | $18,562 ✓ |
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 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 23.9% | 12.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18% | 8.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.7% | 14.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6% | 3.1% |
| Psychology, General | 5.2% | 3.8% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 3.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.1% | 2.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 1% | 4.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Louisiana at Lafayette reports the lower average net price by $76 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $304 difference over four years ($54,120 vs $54,424).
University of Louisiana at Lafayette reports $68 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,089 vs $47,021). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and 74.3% at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $22,902, 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette is cheaper — average net price $13,530 per year vs $13,606 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The annual difference of $76 adds up to about $304 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,089 vs $47,021 at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The gap in the federal data is $68. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette is more selective at 87% acceptance vs 92.5% at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
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.