LSU vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 15,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

LSU vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or UL Lafayette? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than LSU ($13,017 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 20% lower than at Louisiana State University ($12,108 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $1,536 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at LSU than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $4,485 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at Louisiana State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($14,094 vs. $11,762).

LSU vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 80 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming LSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

LSU vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and UL Lafayette? 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).

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $1,400 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($201 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 55%)

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.