- Acceptance rate: 93% for fall 2024
- SAT, middle 50%: 448–610 reading and writing, 418–553 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 18–24 composite
- Average net price: $13,156 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
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Where you standEnter your GPA
Add a test score to compare it with what Northwestern State University of Louisiana reported: an acceptance rate of 93% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 18–24.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Northwestern State University of Louisiana reviews each application.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana GPA requirements
Northwestern State University of Louisiana requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana acceptance rate
Northwestern State University of Louisiana admitted 2,790 of 3,015 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 93%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public 4-year university in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with 7,622 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered Northwestern State University of Louisiana in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 448 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Math | 418 | 520 | 553 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 24 |
| ACT English | 17 | 21 | 24 |
| ACT Math | 16 | 18 | 23 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1088 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What Northwestern State University of Louisiana looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Required |
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Not considered |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Not considered |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Not considered |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Not considered |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Not considered |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Not considered |
AP credit
Northwestern State University of Louisiana awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $13,156 a year at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 3.0 GPA get you into Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
GPA alone can't tell you here. Northwestern State University of Louisiana admitted 93% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
What SAT and ACT scores do Northwestern State University of Louisiana students have?
The middle 50% of Northwestern State University of Louisiana's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 448–610 in reading and writing and 418–553 in math; ACT composite 18–24, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
What GPA do you need to get into Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.
How selective is Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. Northwestern State University of Louisiana admitted 93% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What is Northwestern State University of Louisiana's acceptance rate?
Northwestern State University of Louisiana's acceptance rate was 93% for fall 2024: it admitted 2,790 of 3,015 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.
How important is GPA for getting into Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
A lot: Northwestern State University of Louisiana requires high school GPA, high school record and college preparatory program. It considers test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider high school class rank, recommendations, essay or personal statement, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
Check Northwestern State University of Louisiana's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. Northwestern State University of Louisiana was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 3% sent SAT scores and 85% sent ACT scores.
Does Northwestern State University of Louisiana look at legacy status?
No. Northwestern State University of Louisiana doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What is the average net price at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $13,156 a year at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Does Northwestern State University of Louisiana give credit for AP exams?
Yes. Northwestern State University of Louisiana awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Before you apply, check Northwestern State University of Louisiana's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: Northwestern State University of LouisianaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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