Arkansas vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than Arkansas based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 33,610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arkansas 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 Arkansas 20:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Arkansas vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Arkansas than LSU ($18,408 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas are 5.9% lower than at Louisiana State University ($14,244 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $1,850 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Arkansas than at Louisiana State University (about $1,335 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at University of Arkansas (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 60.1% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($14,094 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 130 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming LSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Arkansas (3.74).
• Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 23% at LSU.

Arkansas vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Arkansas's (59%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($20,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($216 vs. $222).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas 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.