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Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana

8,402 Students on Campus
Natchitoches Location
34,998 Metro Population
8,402 Students on Campus
Natchitoches Location
34,998 Metro Population

About This Campus

Founded in 1884, Northwestern State University is a public, four-year university which is part of the University of Louisiana System. The 918-acre campus, bordered by several lakes, is said to be one of the most spacious and attractive in the South. It is located in historic Natchitoches (pronounced Nak-a-tish), the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Students enjoy new residential facilities as well as state-of-the-art athletic amenities. Northwestern offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, sciences, business, education, and nursing, and it has complete accreditation for all of its eligible degree programs. Northwestern hosts Louisiana's designated honors college, the Louisiana Scholars' College.

NSU ranks among the top universities for student success, academic programs, and campus life.

#1 In Louisiana for Top Public Schools Regional Universities in the South (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)

17:1 Student-To-Faculty Ratio

Location Information

Natchitoches is the oldest permanent French settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches (Nack-a-tish) was established in 1714, and retains its European flavor through its architecture and cultural heritage. The Natchitoches area offers numerous attractions, museums, Creole plantations and year around festivals including the Festival of Lights, Louisiana's premiere holiday destination. Natchitoches was voted one of the 10 Best Historic Small Towns in the 2020 USA TODAY Readers Choice.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/18/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/11/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/07/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Prerequisites or limited space (like Nursing, Health Sciences, specific Arts); you would need to check the NSE coordinator for programs like Nursing, Education, or Business to see if you meet requirements and if slots are open as a visiting student.

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Prerequisites or limited space (like Nursing, Health Sciences, specific Arts); you would need to check the NSE coordinator for programs like Nursing, Education, or Business to see if you meet requirements and if slots are open as a visiting student.

OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)? Will accept on Home or Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 02/13/2026
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $2869
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $2614
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 20
Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 02/13/2026
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $3503
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Alcohol, drugs, pets (except fish in 20-gallon tanks), and smoking/vaping are prohibited in residence halls.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2420
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

There are several meal plans, each with different amounts of declining balances in "demon dollars" that can be used at the various dining options on campus, e.g., Chick-fil-A, Steak n' Shake, etc.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Limited

This campus usually accepts less than 50% of students that request it. Be prepared to be placed at an alternative choice. If applying to a site with a 'limited' chance of placement, we suggest that you list a minimum of 3-5 campuses on your application, with one to two sites that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: