LSU vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

LSU vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than LSU ($15,045 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 4.5% lower than at Louisiana State University ($14,458 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 65.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $4,715 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.3% higher at LSU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $6,139 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 76.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($14,094 vs. $7,966).

LSU vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 20 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming LSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

LSU vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU and UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $2,100 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,900 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($216 vs. $237).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 61%)

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.