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Northwestern State University of Louisiana: Lee H Nelson Hall
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College · Catholic life on campus

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

  • LocationNatchitoches, LA
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 8,847 students
Official website

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The Diocese of Alexandria lists a Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, with a named chaplain, Rev. Jose Pallipurath. FOCUS is listed as serving the campus.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miHoly Cross Catholic Church: 0.4 mi1Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: 0.9 mi2Saint Anthony Catholic Church: 1.1 mi3Catholic Student Organization, Northwestern State University: 0.4 miNorthwestern State University of Louisiana (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Cross Catholic Church — 0.4 mi · 109 2nd Street, Natchitoches
  2. Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — 0.9 mi · 145 Church Street, Natchitoches
  3. Saint Anthony Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 911 5th Street, Natchitoches

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ACatholic life on campus: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Catholic life on campus

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The diocese's campus ministry page names Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, and lists its Catholic Student Organization.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Alexandriadiocesealex.org/our-faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry is provided at LSU of Alexandria, Louisiana College, Pineville, and Northwestern State University, Natchitoches.”
      The Diocese of Alexandria states that campus ministry is provided at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches.
      “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
      The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (The diocese's campus ministry page presents Rev. Jose Pallipurath as chaplain for the campus group.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Alexandriadiocesealex.org/our-faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
      The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (A Catholic Student Organization (diocese) and FOCUS (FOCUS campus listing).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Alexandriadiocesealex.org/our-faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
      The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwestern State University”
      FOCUS lists Northwestern State University among the campuses where it serves students.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A named chaplain is listed for the Catholic Student Organization at the university.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Alexandriadiocesealex.org/our-faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
      The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
  • FOCUS is listed among the campuses it serves, in addition to the diocese's Catholic Student Organization.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwestern State University”
      FOCUS lists Northwestern State University among the campuses where it serves students.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Catholic Student Organization, Northwestern State University

  • Address: 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA
  • Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: diocesealex.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

2 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 2 location not published

Clubs and groups 2

  • Catholic Student Organization (Northwestern State University)
    Catholic student organization listed by the Diocese of Alexandria for Northwestern State University, with chaplain Rev. Jose Pallipurath.
    diocesealex.org
  • FOCUS
    FOCUS is listed as serving students at Northwestern State University.
    focus.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Alexandriadiocesealex.org/our-faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry is provided at LSU of Alexandria, Louisiana College, Pineville, and Northwestern State University, Natchitoches.”
    The Diocese of Alexandria states that campus ministry is provided at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches.
    “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
    The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
    “Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA Chaplain: Rev. Jose Pallipurath Phone: (318) 352-2615”
    The diocese lists the Catholic Student Organization at Northwestern State University with its address, chaplain and phone number.
  2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Northwestern State University”
    FOCUS lists Northwestern State University among the campuses where it serves students.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
51 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.43%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.71%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,088 · ACT 21
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.16 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$6,994

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
7,898
Total students8,847
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,606
Cost of attendance (per year)$25,431
Median federal debt at graduation$25,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
43%
First-year retention71%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$47,021
Admission rate93%
Students receiving Pell grants35%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1088
SAT reading & writing448–610
SAT math418–553
ACT composite18–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 46 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Alexandria

The Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr., Bishop of Alexandria

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

Source: diocesealex.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 160038
  • Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Northwestern State University of Louisiana a Catholic college?
No. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Student Organization, Northwestern State University.

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