
Northwestern State University (NSU) is a public university located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with satellite campuses in Shreveport, Leesville/Fort Johnson, and Alexandria. The university offers a range of academic programs and is known for its athletic teams, the Demons. In terms of enrollment, NSU has seen a decline in recent years, with 8,847 students enrolled in Fall 2023, which is a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. However, the university has been taking initiatives to improve enrollment and enhance the student experience.
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What You'll Learn

Northwestern State University's 2023 total enrollment was 8,847
The total enrollment of 8,847 includes 4,753 full-time students and 4,094 part-time students. Of these, 5,860 are undergraduate students, and 987 are seeking master's, doctoral, or post-baccalaureate degrees. Additionally, there are 2,000 high school dual enrollment students. The undergraduate acceptance rate for 2023 was 93.7%, with 2,994 admissions out of 3,194 applications.
The demographic breakdown of the student population shows that 57.6% are White, 25.2% are Black or African American, 5.11% are Hispanic or Latino, 4.49% are Two or More Races, 1.4% are Asian, 1.2% are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.147% are Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. The most common demographic group among full-time undergraduate students is White Female (37.6%), followed by Black or African American Female (19.4%) and White Male (16.5%).
Northwestern State University, primarily located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, has a long history, with its campus grounds dedicated to learning for over a century. The university offers a range of academic and athletic programs, including being one of the first colleges to enter NASA's Joint Venture Program.
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The university has a nursing campus in Shreveport
Northwestern State University had a total enrollment of 8,847 students in 2023, with 5,860 undergraduate students and 987 students seeking master's, doctoral, and post-baccalaureate degrees. The university has experienced a decline in enrollment, which has been attributed to the decreasing college-age population nationwide. However, NSU has actively recruited students through various initiatives and enhanced communication strategies.
The Shreveport campus offers clinical courses for nursing students, with a focus on providing direct care clinical hours. Students can also take advantage of simulation activities and labs at the main campus or off-campus learning sites. The nursing faculty at the Shreveport campus includes experienced professors and assistant professors who provide academic advising and support to students throughout their nursing programs.
The nursing campus in Shreveport has a rich history, dating back to the mid-1940s when the local nursing community recognized the need for a collegiate-based nursing program. This led to the establishment of the BSN program at Northwestern State University. The university has since become a leading institution in nursing education, offering a range of accredited nursing programs that prepare students for career opportunities in healthcare settings.
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85% of undergrads received financial aid in 2023
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Johnson and Alexandria. The university had a total enrollment of 8,847 students in 2023, with 5,860 undergraduate students. Of these undergraduates, 85% received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This means that 4,984 undergraduates received financial support.
The average net price for students, after taking grants and loans into account, is $13,156. The median undergraduate tuition at NSULA is $5,180, which is significantly lower than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities. The yearly cost of room and board is $10,369, and the average yearly cost of books and supplies is $1,300. These additional costs can be a financial burden for students, so the availability of grants and loans is crucial.
NSULA has expanded its communications with prospective students through various channels, including direct mail, social media, marketing, advertising, and visits to high schools. The university is also increasing awareness of tuition waivers and financial support for specific categories of students, such as out-of-state students and children or grandchildren of alumni. This enhanced communication strategy is part of the university's efforts to boost enrollment and provide support to students facing economic challenges.
The university's focus on financial aid and support for students is aligned with its mission to make higher education accessible and affordable. With the majority of undergraduate students receiving financial aid, NSULA is committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder students' opportunities to pursue their academic goals. This assistance empowers students with the economic mobility that a college degree can provide.
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The university has experienced a decline in enrollment
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) has experienced a decline in enrollment. In Fall 2023, the university enrolled 8,847 students, a 5.8% decline from the previous year. This continues a downward trend that began in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the university. Between 2020 and 2022, NSU's fall enrollment fell from 11,447 to 9,389.
NSU's enrollment decline reflects nationwide trends of student population losses in higher education. Colleges and universities across the country lost 1.2 million students in the first two years of the pandemic, and projections indicate that enrollment will continue to decrease. NSU's decline in enrollment has also been attributed to new university policies restricting the readmission of students with excessive unpaid balances.
To address the enrollment decline, NSU has expanded and enhanced its communications with prospective students through direct mail, social media, marketing, advertising, and visits to high school campuses. The university is also increasing awareness of tuition waivers and financial support for out-of-state students, children and grandchildren of alumni, and other prospective students who meet certain criteria. Additionally, NSU has placed a greater emphasis on student retention through a mentoring network for freshmen and personalized connections with students and parents through a new student engagement plan.
Despite the overall decline in enrollment, NSU's first-time freshmen population and retention rate have increased. In Fall 2023, there were 1,029 first-time freshmen, a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The retention rate for Fall 2022 entering freshmen was 66.37%, an improvement of 12.2% over the previous year.
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NSU has a wide range of recruitment and retention initiatives
Northwestern State University (NSU) had a total enrollment of 8,847 students in 2023, with 5,860 undergraduate students and 987 students seeking master's, doctoral, and post-baccalaureate degrees. The university has been working to enhance its recruitment and retention initiatives to address the declining college-age population. NSU's recruiting team has expanded its communication with prospective students through various channels, including direct mail, social media, marketing, advertising, high school campus visits, and special events. They are also increasing awareness of tuition waivers and financial support options for out-of-state students and other eligible individuals.
NSU prioritizes superior customer service for all students and has implemented a mentoring network focused on personal connections, which has positively impacted retention rates. The university consistently reviews its processes to ensure a seamless transition for admissions and student retention. NSU's retention strategies include addressing academic and financial barriers, with 85% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. The Fall-to-spring retention rate for first-time freshmen rose to 87.8%, with some departments reporting retention rates as high as 90%.
NSU has also developed academic initiatives to improve retention, such as the FLAME (Faculty Led Assistance in My Education) program, where faculty provide supplemental instruction to help students with their coursework. Additionally, the Demon Mentor Network and individualized student development plans offer tutoring, one-on-one meetings, and classroom support. NSU's academic departments work closely with their Academic Advisory Councils, which include alumni and industry partners, to enhance academic programs, student preparation, curriculum development, and networking opportunities for internships and experiential learning.
NSU's retention and recruitment efforts extend beyond the university, with a total annual economic impact of $519.7 million in added income for northwest and central Louisiana. The university's initiatives support 7,204 jobs in the region. NSU's commitment to fostering partnerships with public and private organizations provides students with valuable internship and networking opportunities. The university received a $16 million NIH grant for the NURTURE program, which supports the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty, enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the campus community.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, there were 8,847 students enrolled at Northwestern State University.
There are 5,860 undergraduate students enrolled at Northwestern State University.
4,753 students are enrolled full-time at Northwestern State University, while 4,094 are enrolled part-time.











































