LSU vs. Rhodes College

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with Rhodes College in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Rhodes College based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 1,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Rhodes College is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhodes College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University 21:1; Rhodes College 9:1.

LSU vs. Rhodes College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or Rhodes College? 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 than Rhodes College ($21,430 vs. $31,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhodes College are 10.1% lower than at Louisiana State University ($13,620 vs. $15,142).
• Rhodes College is 377.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $45,156 more per year; $57,110.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.5% higher at Rhodes College than at Louisiana State University (about $28,479 more per year; $57,110.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhodes College than at Louisiana State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhodes College students is 185.1% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University students ($40,180 vs. $14,094).

LSU vs. Rhodes College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU or Rhodes College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rhodes College and LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhodes College (1390) is 130 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming Rhodes College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at LSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; Rhodes College 1300/1486.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; Rhodes College 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; Rhodes College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; Rhodes College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rhodes College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at LSU (3.77).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Rhodes College (50.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 12.1% at Rhodes College.

LSU vs. Rhodes College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and Rhodes College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rhodes College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Rhodes College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than LSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,400 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $5,317 lower median loan debt than Rhodes College graduates ($20,900 vs. $26,217).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rhodes College graduates ($216 vs. $271).
• More Rhodes College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 67%)

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.