LSU vs. ULM

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

LSU vs. ULM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or ULM? 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 Monroe than LSU ($13,648 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 30.3% lower than at Louisiana State University ($10,554 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $2,764 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at LSU than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $7,341 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Louisiana State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($14,094 vs. $13,338).

LSU vs. ULM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is the same as at ULM (1260).
• Incoming LSU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; ULM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 35.1% at ULM.

LSU vs. ULM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and ULM? 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 Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $900 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($206 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 49%)

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.