UL Lafayette vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

UL Lafayette vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette or SU? 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 Louisiana at Lafayette than SU ($13,017 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 19.7% lower than at Southwestern University ($12,108 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 416.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $43,395 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.9% higher at SU than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $29,667 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 198.9% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($35,162 vs. $11,762).

UL Lafayette vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette or SU? 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 SU and UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 40 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming SU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 13.8% at SU.

UL Lafayette vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $7,393 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($201 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.