Northwestern State University of Louisiana

What Northwestern State University of Louisiana does

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public regional university founded in 1884 and operating as part of the University of Louisiana System. It enrolls approximately 8,400 students across seven campuses and instructional sites — Natchitoches (main), Shreveport, Barksdale Air Force Base, Alexandria (CENLA), Leesville/Fort Polk, Marksville, and the eNSU online platform — plus 14 NCAA Division I athletic programs. The university delivers 100+ degree programs from associate through doctoral levels, with particular depth in nursing (College of Nursing and School of Allied Health), STEM and AI (School of STEM, ARGO Lab), business, education, and the liberal arts (Louisiana Scholars' College). Core technology infrastructure runs on Moodle (LMS), Banner (ERP/SIS), Degree Works (advising), WebEx (collaboration), and Office 365 (productivity). Per-student outcomes include a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 98% NCLEX pass rates, 100% nursing job placement, and an 80% overall graduate placement rate, with retention at 71% and graduation rate at 43% against institutional goals of 73% and 53% respectively by 2027-28.

The business model combines five revenue streams: tuition and fees (recurring from ~8,400 students across residential, online, and dual-enrollment programs), state appropriations ($54.2M referenced as Louisiana taxpayer investment in FY 2023-24), federal and private research grants (NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD), auxiliary services (housing, dining, bookstore, recreation), and private giving through the NSU Foundation. The institution serves multiple customer segments — traditional first-time college students, military service members and veterans, working adults and online learners, healthcare workforce candidates, transfer students, and dual-enrolled high school students — distributed across a 7-campus network spanning Louisiana. Documented broader economic impact is $497.1M annually supporting 7,000+ jobs across the 10-parish region.

Underlying technology is commodity higher-ed stack (Moodle LMS, Banner ERP, Office 365) with differentiation concentrated in the ARGO Lab's drone/geospatial training capability, the IBM-partnered AI curriculum in the School of STEM, and Louisiana's first electronic campus (eNSU) online platform offering 40+ accredited degrees since the early 2000s. Leadership is anchored by 21st President James T. Genovese (appointed July 18, 2024), Executive VP and Provost Dr. Greg A. Handel, CFO Rodney Wilson, and CMO Cole Gentry, with a new CXO layer supporting economic development, institutional effectiveness, and IT modernization.

Name

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Legal name

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Website

https://nsula.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1884

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public regional university founded in 1884, serving approximately 8,400 students across seven campuses and an online platform with 100+ degree programs, a flagship nursing college, and STEM/AI offerings through an IBM partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Higher Education / University Degree Programs

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) & Officer Candidate Schools (OCS/OTS) (EDAHAOAJ)

Keywords

• Public higher education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Online learning degrees
• Nursing education
• Military student programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Natchitoches

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across all campuses and online delivery modes. Includes various fee structures based on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state) and program type.
2. State Appropriations: Operational funding from the State of Louisiana through the University of Louisiana System, representing taxpayer investment in public higher education
3. Research Grants and Sponsored Programs: Federal funding from agencies including NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD; state grants; and private foundation awards supporting institutional research priorities
4. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from housing, dining services, bookstore operations, campus recreation, and other student life services
5. University Advancement (Donations): Private giving through the NSU Foundation, including annual funds, major gifts, endowments, and planned giving; $51.3 million in present value of student tuition and expense contributions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university delivering 100+ undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across seven campuses in Louisiana (Natchitoches main campus plus Shreveport, Alexandria, Marksville, Leesville/Fort Polk, Bossier City/Barksdale AFB, and eNSU online). Its core service is degree-granting education, with flagship concentrations in nursing and allied health, STEM and AI, liberal arts, business, and online learning, supported by NCAA Division I athletics and military-friendly program delivery.

Product overview

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a comprehensive public university offering a portfolio of educational products and services centered on its main campus and six instructional sites across Louisiana. The core offering consists of 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs delivered through traditional on-campus instruction, the eNSU online learning platform (Louisiana's first electronic campus with 40+ online degrees), and the Louisiana Scholars' College honors program. The university provides specialized STEM and AI programming through its School of STEM and the ARGO Lab for drone/geospatial training. Major initiatives include Innovation Park for industry collaboration and community partnerships. Student services are accessed through the myNSU portal integrating Moodle LMS, Degree Works academic advising, and Banner SIS. The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health represents a flagship program, while Demon Athletics provides NCAA Division I sports. The institution serves approximately 8,400 students with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio across campuses in Natchitoches, Shreveport, Barksdale, Alexandria, Leesville, Marksville, and online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Demon Athletics: NSU's NCAA Division I athletic programs featuring the Demons mascot
• Louisiana Scholars' College
• eNSU

Products and services

• eNSU (Electronic Campus) Louisiana's first electronic campus, offering 40+ accredited online degrees with competitive tuition and flexibility for working adults, military students, and non-traditional learners seeking asynchronous degree completion.
• Louisiana Scholars' College Louisiana's only official public honors college in the liberal arts and sciences, offering small seminar-style classes, individualized PhD faculty mentorship, priority registration, and specialized housing for high-achieving students.
• College of Nursing and School of Allied Health (CONSAH) One of the nation's leading nursing and allied-health programs offering associate to doctoral-level degrees, including Louisiana's first baccalaureate program in nursing (since 1949), with 12,000+ nursing degrees awarded and 100% job placement.
• School of STEM and AI Innovative academic unit focused on STEM education and artificial intelligence programming, including a partnership with IBM for AI microcredentials, coding education, AI systems training, and global expert forums to prepare students for emerging industries.
• ARGO Lab (Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations) A specialized research and training lab focused on drone training and advanced geospatial technology programs for military and civilian learners, including partnerships with Fort Polk to serve soldiers.
• Innovation Park A collaborative STEM hub in northwest Louisiana connecting NSU students with gifted high school students from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, while serving as a community and industry engagement center for regional business leaders and entrepreneurs.
• Dual Enrollment Program Program allowing high school students to take college courses for credit, providing early college access, accelerated degree completion pathways, and cost savings for Louisiana high schoolers.
• Demon Athletics NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program featuring 14 sports teams (the Demons), competing in the Southland Conference, generating school pride and community engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% job placement rate for graduates (working, continuing education, military, or volunteering)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IBMcoreTechnology or IntegrationIBM partnership for AI-focused programming through NSU's School of STEM. Provides microcredentials, coding education, AI systems training, and learning from global experts at NSU-hosted forums. Prepares students for emerging industries through technology integration.
• BOM BankflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOM Bank serves as the anchor tenant for The CoLab at Innovation Park. This strategic partnership supports regional entrepreneurship, business development, and community engagement. Located within the future Innovation Park development.
• Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Innovation Park connecting NSU students with gifted high school students from LSMSA. Functions as collaborative STEM hub bridging secondary and higher education while serving as community and industry engagement center.
• Christus HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting healthcare workforce development, clinical training opportunities, and regional health outcomes improvement across central and northern Louisiana.
• BlueCross BlueShield of LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for healthcare education and workforce pipeline development. Partnership includes support for nursing graduates joining Louisiana's healthcare workforce.
• Natchitoches Regional Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partnership for nursing and allied health student training, providing hands-on experience and healthcare career pathways.
• Rapides Regional Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partnership for nursing and allied health student training at CENLA campus location.
• Willis-Knighton Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for healthcare education, clinical training, and workforce development in the Shreveport region.
• Fort Polk (U.S. Army)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSU Leesville/Fort Polk campus provides educational opportunities for military personnel, veterans, and their families. ARGO Lab drone training programs serve soldiers from Fort Polk.
• Barksdale Air Force Base (U.S. Air Force)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site education programs at Barksdale AFB providing flexible, military-friendly degree options for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
• International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExchange program enabling student mobility through bilateral agreements with international institutions.
• Alliance CompressorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting regional economic development and workforce initiatives.
• Boise CascademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner contributing to regional economic development initiatives.
• CLECO (ENERGY TRANSFER)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting regional workforce and energy sector initiatives.
• RoyOMartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting regional economic development and workforce development.
• WeyerhaeuserminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for regional economic development initiatives.
• City of NatchitochescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership supporting community events, tourism (Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival), and regional economic development.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Louisiana at Monroe: UL System peer institution serving northeast Louisiana with comparable size, healthcare and nursing programs, and online delivery. Directly competes for similar in-state and regional students.
• Louisiana Tech University: Public research university in Ruston, Louisiana, also part of the University of Louisiana System. Comparable size, public comprehensive mission, similar online and military-friendly offerings, and similar rural-Louisiana service region make it the closest direct peer.
• Southeastern Louisiana University: UL System peer in Hammond, Louisiana, comparable enrollment size, broad undergraduate/graduate offerings, and similar tuition positioning; directly competes in the same public regional university category.
• McNeese State University: UL System peer in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with similar enrollment scale, comprehensive degree offerings, and regional economic development mission; competes for in-state students and online learners.
• Southern University and A&M College: Public HBCU in the SU System in Baton Rouge, with comparable size, nursing and allied health programs, and online offerings. Competes for similar Louisiana student demographics, particularly African American and first-generation learners.
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Larger UL System peer with broader research profile but overlapping nursing, business, and online programs; competes for the same in-state student pool and serves as a comparable UL System benchmark.
• LSU Shreveport: Regional campus of LSU System in Shreveport with online programs and similar size; competes for adult learners and transfer students in the same northwest Louisiana market as NSU.
• Grambling State University: Public HBCU in northern Louisiana with comparable enrollment size and nursing programs; directly competes for in-state students in the same geographic and demographic segments as NSU.

Regional players

• Stephen F. Austin State University: Public regional university in East Texas with comparable enrollment size, comprehensive degree offerings, and similar tuition/value positioning; serves as a peer benchmark for NSU's market segment though operating in a different state.

Broad incumbents

• Southern New Hampshire University: Large online-focused nonprofit university with extensive online degree catalog; competes with eNSU for adult and online learners nationally and represents the scale benchmark for NSU's online growth ambitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nsula
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/northwesternstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/17963408836
• Instagraminstagram.com/nsula
• TikToktiktok.com/@nsula
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northwestern-state-university

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwestern State University of Louisiana