ULM vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); University of Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

ULM vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM or UL Lafayette? 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 ULM ($13,017 vs. $13,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 12.8% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($10,554 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $1,228 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at UL Lafayette than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $2,856 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 13.4% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($13,338 vs. $11,762).

ULM vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Monroe (1260) is 80 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than ULM (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

ULM vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM and UL Lafayette? 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 Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of about $800 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ULM graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ULM graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More UL Lafayette graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 49%)

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.