Commencement 2026
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Celebrate Your Milestone
Join us in honoring the Class of 2026! Whether you are walking across the stage or cheering from afar, experience the excitement, tradition, and triumph of Northwestern State University’s commencement ceremonies.
build connections & shape your future.
As Louisiana’s #1 Top Public School for Regional Universities in the South, we’re committed to delivering both exceptional quality and outstanding value. Our career-driven programs build in-demand skills, leading to strong outcomes for graduates. Here, you’ll find true belonging and the support you need to focus on what matters most: your future.
Explore Admissions
At Northwestern State University, admissions is your first step toward a future you can be excited about. Whether you’re a parent supporting a driven high school student, a transfer student ready for new opportunities, or a working professional eager to advance, NSU helps you build a strong foundation for success.
Admissions Information
What NSU Has to Offer
Here’s why thousands of students choose NSU every year.
At Northwestern, we’re here to equip you with practical skills, real-world experience, and the knowledge to turn your goals into reality — wherever your path leads.
The faculty truly cared about me and my goals. I never felt like just another student, and that support is why I stayed at NSU for my master’s degree. With their guidance and encouragement, I grew in skill and confidence. NSU challenged me in the best ways, and I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship that helped me get here.
“Coming to NSU was the best decision I've made. From day one, I felt like part of a community that genuinely cares about my success. I've made lifelong friends, explored new interests, and had incredible support from professors who actually know my name. NSU has given me so much more than an education — it's given me a second home.”
Earning both my bachelor’s and master’s at NSU was the best decision I could’ve made. I always felt supported, challenged, and encouraged to step outside my comfort zone. My professors truly cared about my success and pushed me to reach my potential, while the campus community gave me opportunities to lead, connect, and grow. I walked away with two degrees, real experience, and the confidence to succeed in my career.
#0
in Louisiana for Top Public Schools Regional Universities in the South
U.S. News & World Report, 2026
#0
Producer of Registered Nurses & Radiologic Technologists
in Louisiana
0%
above the national average in student satisfaction
Based on latest student survey
$0M
Economic impact on Northwest and Central Louisiana, supporting over 7,000 jobs
Lightcast Labor Analytics
Think Bigger. Go Honors.
THE LOUISIANA SCHOLARS’ COLLEGE
Join Louisiana’s only official public honors college in the liberal arts and sciences. Open to almost any major, the Scholars’ College offers small seminar-style classes, individualized mentorship from PhD faculty, and exclusive benefits like priority registration and specialized housing.
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Tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll send you everything you need to explore Northwestern State University — from degree programs and upcoming events to how to begin your admissions journey.
Discover Life Beyond the Classroom
First Year Experience
The First Year Experience and connects students with the people, programs, and resources necessary for academic success and personal growth.
Community Partners
Northwestern State University proudly collaborates with a dynamic network of community partners whose impact extends far beyond campus. These valued organizations are catalysts for improved health outcomes, educational advancement, and economic growth across central and northern Louisiana.
In Partnership for Progress
- Alliance Compressors
- BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana
- Boise Cascade
- BOM Bank
- Christus Health
- City of Natchitoches
- CLECO
- IBM
- Louisiana School for the Math, Science, and the Arts
- Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
- Northwestern State University Foundation
- Rapides Regional Medical Center
- RoyOMartin
- Weyerhaeuser
- Willis-Knighton Health System
Everything Happening at NSU
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