University of Louisiana at Lafayette

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Lafayette, LA
  • 5.0 1 review
#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

Overview

Total enrollment

15,665
University of Louisiana at Lafayette overview
University of Louisiana at Lafayette overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, established in 1898, is situated in the heart of Lafayette, the cultural center of Louisiana's Cajun and Creole region. The 1,500-acre campus combines traditional brick architecture with modern facilities, featuring centuries-old live oak trees and Cypress Lake, a managed wetland in the center of campus. Located in south-central Louisiana approximately 135 miles west of New Orleans, UL Lafayette operates as a comprehensive public research institution within the University of Louisiana System. The university maintains strong academic programs in engineering, computer science, and environmental biology, while its College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions serves as a key healthcare education provider for the region. Students typically reside in on-campus housing during their first year, with the university offering both traditional residence halls and apartment-style living options, while the Ragin' Cajuns compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Sun Belt Conference.

Ratings

UL Lafayette is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    6 out of 10
  • Resources
    4 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Average
University of Louisiana at Lafayette admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1120/1240
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 23/28
  • GPA 3.4

Acceptance Rate

87%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 31.7%
  • Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Louisiana Resident Tuition

$10,418

Out of State Resident Tuition

$24,146

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Tuition $10,418
  • Books and Supplies $1,326
  • Other Fees $5,011
  • Room and Board $12,108
  • Budget for Other Expenses $6,167
  • Total One Year Cost $35,030

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$45,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

41% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Education. 23% of students major in Business, 15% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 11% in Education.

  • Business 23%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 15%
  • Education 11%
  • Health Professions 10%
  • Engineering 6%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of Louisiana at Lafayette are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=160658.

GPA calculator: University of Louisiana at Lafayette GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026