LSU vs. UNO

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than UNO based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 6,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); University of New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University 21:1; University of New Orleans 19:1.

LSU vs. UNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or UNO? 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 New Orleans than LSU ($12,258 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Orleans are 25.4% lower than at Louisiana State University ($11,292 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 30.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNO (about $2,782 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $9,172.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.4% higher at LSU than at University of New Orleans (about $14,623 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $14,008.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University as at University of New Orleans (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 30.9% larger than aid received by University of New Orleans students ($14,094 vs. $10,771).

LSU vs. UNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 170 points higher than at UNO (1090).
• Incoming LSU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at UNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; University of New Orleans 935/1241.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; University of New Orleans 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; UNO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; UNO Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UNO (3.21).
• UNO has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 18.1% at UNO.

LSU vs. UNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and UNO? 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 New Orleans's (38%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than UNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Orleans graduates have a $4,400 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($16,500 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, UNO graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($170 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNO students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 50%)

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.