LSUA vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than LSUA based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 6,815 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

LSUA vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or UTC? 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria than UTC ($8,296 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 23.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($9,598 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 48.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $3,398 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at UTC than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $3,862 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (92% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($10,038 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or UTC? 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 UTC and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 10 points higher than at LSUA (1100).
• Incoming UTC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTC students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 29.2% at UTC.

LSUA vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and UTC? 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.

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $3,085 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($17,707 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($183 vs. $214).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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.