LSU vs. Tulane

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Tulane based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 13,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Tulane University of Louisiana is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University 21:1; Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1.

LSU vs. Tulane Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or Tulane? 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 Tulane ($21,430 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University are 19.7% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($15,142 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 474.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $56,724 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.9% higher at Tulane than at Louisiana State University (about $40,047 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at Tulane University of Louisiana (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students is 181.4% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University students ($39,654 vs. $14,094).

LSU vs. Tulane Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU or Tulane? 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 Tulane and LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 200 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming Tulane students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at LSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; Tulane - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; Tulane Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 40.3% at Tulane.

LSU vs. Tulane Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and Tulane? 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).

• Graduates from Tulane University of Louisiana earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than LSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $6,629 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($20,900 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($216 vs. $284).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 62%)

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.