Northwestern State University of Louisiana

What are the graduation rates for students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

The graduation rates at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are relatively low compared to national averages. The overall graduation rate stands at 45%, placing the institution in the bottom 30% nationwide. This figure indicates that fewer than half of enrolled students complete their degrees within a typical timeframe.

When broken down by gender, male students graduate at a rate of 40%, while female students have a slightly higher rate of 47%. Both of these rates remain in the lower tiers nationally, with men in the bottom 30% and women in the bottom 25% for graduation success. These numbers reflect ongoing challenges in student retention and degree completion across genders.

The university's four-year graduation rate is 32%, which also ranks in the bottom 30% of institutions nationwide. Extending the period to six years improves the rate to 44%, yet this improvement still places the university relatively low in percentile comparisons. This suggests that many students require longer than the traditional four years to finish their degrees or may leave without graduating.

Retention rates provide additional insight, revealing that 70% of students return after their first year. This figure is considered average but remains in the bottom 35% across the country, highlighting further opportunities for the university to enhance student persistence.

Overall, prospective students should be aware that Northwestern State University of Louisiana faces significant hurdles in guiding a majority of its students to timely degree completion. Understanding these graduation and retention patterns is important when considering academic planning and support services at the university.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Northwestern State University of Louisiana?

Graduates of Northwestern State University of Louisiana experience a wide range of earnings depending on their chosen field of study. Those with degrees in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, and Clinical Nursing report some of the highest median earnings, at $63,885 annually, highlighting strong financial prospects in healthcare-related careers.

Similarly, graduates in Health Services, Allied Health, and Health Sciences fields earn approximately $57,708, while those in Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions have median incomes near $52,493. These figures suggest that healthcare and allied health programs at the university offer competitive earning potential.

Students who pursued degrees in Information Science and Studies also benefit from relatively high earnings, with a median of $52,057, reflecting demand for skills in this area. Industrial Production Technologies and Technicians report median salaries around $51,023, indicating solid technical career paths for graduates interested in industrial or production sectors.

Other fields with moderate earning potential include Accounting and Related Services at $41,552 and Teacher Education with specific subject areas at $41,881, while Teacher Education focusing on levels and methods averages $39,767. Business Administration, Management, and Operations graduates have median earnings of about $33,378, demonstrating varied yet viable economic opportunities.

Fields such as Criminal Justice and Corrections ($27,145), Communication and Media Studies ($26,440), Social Work ($25,591), and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences ($24,820) tend to have lower earning ranges but remain important for students interested in these disciplines.

Other programs, like Psychology, General ($26,391), Liberal Arts and Sciences ($29,380), and History ($25,607), show modest income potential after graduation. Some degrees in arts and physical education areas provide median salaries in the range of approximately $15,802 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, and $23,397 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.