U of A vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than LSU based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 41,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

U of A vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or LSU? 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 Arizona than LSU ($19,055 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University are 9.6% lower than at University of Arizona ($15,142 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $1,972 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.7% higher at U of A than at Louisiana State University (about $13,647 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Louisiana State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($14,094 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or LSU? 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 LSU and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 30 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming LSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 23% at LSU.

U of A vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and LSU? 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).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $1,900 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($196 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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.