UL Lafayette vs. MUW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than MUW based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 2,193 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); Mississippi University for Women is in Columbus, MS (Remote Town setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi University for Women is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; Mississippi University for Women 10:1.

UL Lafayette vs. MUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette or MUW? 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 Mississippi University for Women than UL Lafayette ($12,487 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi University for Women are 29.2% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($8,572 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MUW (about $1,926 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.3% higher at UL Lafayette than at Mississippi University for Women (about $15,654 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi University for Women than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Mississippi University for Women students ($11,762 vs. $9,635).

UL Lafayette vs. MUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette or MUW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MUW and UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 160 points higher than at MUW (1020).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MUW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; Mississippi University for Women 850/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; Mississippi University for Women 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; MUW - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman MUW students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• MUW has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 34.6% at MUW.

UL Lafayette vs. MUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette and MUW? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Mississippi University for Women's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than MUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi University for Women graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than UL Lafayette graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, MUW graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UL Lafayette graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More MUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.