Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University, often called NSU or Northwestern, is a public four-year university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville, Fort Polk, and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.

NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School to train teachers. NSU was the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in nursing and business education. It gained university status in 1970 during the administration of President Arnold R. Kilpatrick, a Northwestern alumnus who served from 1966-1978. NSU was one of the first six colleges to enter into NASA's Joint Venture Program. Students working with JOVE created experiments for a 1996 Space Shuttle Columbia shuttle mission. NSU also hosts Louisiana's designated honors college in the liberal arts and sciences, called the Louisiana Scholars' College.

NSU currently offers more than 50 degree programs and complete accreditation of all of its accreditable degree programs. 

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  Main Campus

  Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States Campus Website

  5,000 - 20,000 on Campus

  <100,000 residents in Natchitoches

  Language(s) spoken on campus: English

  Natchitoches (pronounced Nak-a-tish), the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, combines Spanish and English cultures and is bisected by the Cane River Lake. The 918-acre campus, bordered by several lakes, is said to be one of the most spacious and attractive in the South.

  Historic Natchitoches is a true place to call home for students of Northwestern State University. The college experience is enhanced for all students with over 100 student organizations, acclaimed performances and lectures, an exemplary fitness center, a hodgepodge of restaurants, and the exciting atmosphere of Demon Athletics. Learn more about what it's like to be a student at NSU on the campus life website.