Northwestern State University has been ranked as the fourth most affordable online college in the United States for the 2016-17 academic year. See website Rankings.
The website’s researchers and higher education experts collected and analyzed data from every accredited postsecondary institution in the United States to determine which colleges offered the lowest out-of-pocket costs while still scoring high marks in academic rigor and student support.
“Northwestern State has long been known for creating innovative educational opportunities. However, being recognized for affordability further acknowledges the University’s commitment to students by making it financially possible for a student to achieve his or her dream of earning a degree,” said Vice President for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Development Dr. Darlene Williams.
To be included in the rankings, a four-year college or university must be an accredited not for profit institution that offers at least 10 online bachelor’s degree programs with annual in-state tuition and fees below $15,000. Institutions received a numerical score based on in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students, the count and breadth of online programs available, student to faculty ratio, six-year graduation rate and the percentage of beginning, full-time undergraduates receiving scholarship/grant aid from the college.
Northwestern State has Louisiana’s first and largest electronic campus at nsula.edu/ensu. The university offers 39 online degree programs. Internet-only students do not pay out of state fees. Northwestern State is currently developing several competency-based programs specifically for online students, some of which can be applied to a full baccalaureate degree.
Several online degree programs at Northwestern State have been ranked among the best in the nation. Northwestern State’s online RN to BSN program, along with bachelor’s programs in computer information systems, criminal justice and psychology were ranked first in the country by Nonprofit Colleges Online. The bachelor’s in accounting was ranked second and the master’s in education was seventh. The bachelor’s in addiction studies was chosen as the fifth best in the country by bestcolleges.com.
NSU has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly School, a designation is awarded to colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation.