ASU vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than LSU based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 41,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

ASU vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or LSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arizona State University than LSU ($17,779 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University are 9.4% lower than at Arizona State University ($15,142 vs. $16,712).
• Arizona State University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $269 more per year; $12,223.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at ASU than at Louisiana State University (about $4,508 more per year; $33,139.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at Louisiana State University (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($14,094 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or LSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between LSU and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 50 points higher than at ASU (1210).
• Incoming LSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arizona State University 1100/1320; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arizona State University 21/28; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman LSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at ASU (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 23% at LSU.

ASU vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and LSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arizona State University graduates have a $622 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($20,278 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($209 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.