Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana test optional?

We haven't confirmed Northwestern State University of Louisiana's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Northwestern State University of Louisiana's acceptance rate?

93% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 2,790 of 3,015 applicants were admitted. Applications fell 7%, from 3,231 in 2015 to 3,015 in 2024, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana's admit rate went from 84% to 93%.

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What SAT score do you need for Northwestern State University of Louisiana? (Middle 50%: 910–1110)

Q: What ACT score do you need for Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

91% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 18–23, with a median of 20. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 910–1110 works out to about 16–22.

Q: What GPA do you need for Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.40 high school GPA, and 19% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

First-year students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana who sent an SAT scored 910–1110, with a median of 980 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Northwestern State University of Louisiana admits 93% of applicants.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana · Natchitoches, LA

Where your score lands at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

First-year students who sent an SAT: 910–1110, median 980

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Northwestern State University of Louisiana is for you and whether to send your score.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana by the numbers

Admit rate: 93%
Middle 50% SAT: 910–1110
Median SAT: 980
About on the ACT: 16–22
Sent an SAT: 2%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Northwestern State University of Louisiana admit rate over 10 years

Applications fell 7%, from 3,231 in 2015 to 3,015 in 2024, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana's admit rate went from 84% to 93%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	3,015	2,790	93%
2023	3,194	2,994	94%
2022	2,903	2,843	98%
2021	3,738	3,599	96%
2020	4,290	4,069	95%
2019	4,035	3,308	82%
2018	4,444	3,643	82%
2017	4,409	3,540	80%
2016	5,180	3,201	62%
2015	3,231	2,713	84%

In fall 2024, 1,043 of the 2,790 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 860Far reachHold
860–900ReachHold
910–970TargetHold
980–1100TargetSend
1110 and upLikelySend

7008009001000110012001300

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	430	470	550
SAT Reading and Writing	490	540	570
SAT total	910	980	1110
ACT composite	18	20	23

Of enrolled first-year students, 2% sent an SAT and 91% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.40; 98% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 19%; of new students who reported a rank

Northwestern State University of Louisiana cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $13,606; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 43%
Median earnings: $47,021; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 9,025

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Louisiana

Tulane

Every college for an SAT of1110

Sources

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana website
Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 910–1110, and the median was 980. At 980 or higher you're above half of them. Northwestern State University of Louisiana admits 93% of applicants.

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$