Admit rate has ranged 69%–84% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Louisiana Christian University (LCU) is a small, Baptist-affiliated liberal arts school in Pineville, Louisiana, where faith and academics intertwine. With an 84% acceptance rate and a tight-knit campus culture, LCU offers a distinctly personal, values-driven education—though its 36% graduation rate signals challenges. Standout programs in natural sciences boast 100% graduate school acceptance rates, while its $48M regional economic impact underscores its local footprint.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
672
In-state tuition
$20,266
Out-of-state tuition
$20,266
Notable Fact
100% grad school acceptance for natural sciences majors
Acceptance Rate
77–84%
Graduation Rate
36%
On-Campus Housing
70%
Financial Aid Recipients
96%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,700
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.9×
Median debt at graduation
$21,875
Graduation rate
44%
First-year retention
52%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
67%
Pell (lower-income) share
65%
First-generation share
37%
Endowment / student
$68,211
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$62,211
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$41,565
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$41,342
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$39,369
Criminal Justice and Corrections$38,289
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
97
Summer high
92°F
Winter low
44°F
Annual rain
58.6"
Annual snow
1.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
51
Scholarly works
386
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Louisiana Christian University?
Louisiana Christian University's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Pineville, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Louisiana Christian University cost?
At Louisiana Christian University, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,113 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Louisiana Christian University?
Louisiana Christian University enrolls approximately 672 undergraduate students.
Where is Louisiana Christian University located?
Louisiana Christian University is located in Pineville, LA.
Admissions
LCU's admissions process leans accessible, with an 84% acceptance rate (per PrepScholar) and 77% (per US News). Applicants need a minimum 2.3 GPA and ACT 18/SAT 940 (or 2.5 GPA without test scores). The middle 50% of admitted students score ACT 18–24 or SAT 960–1140. Over 96% of students receive financial aid, softening the sticker price. The vibe is welcoming but academically straightforward: core curriculum requirements mirror Louisiana state standards, and the admissions office actively recruits via phone (1-800-487-1906) and email.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
LCU frames itself as a liberal arts institution with Baptist roots, offering undergrad and graduate programs in education, business, and sciences. The Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is a sleeper hit: its 2025 graduating class achieved 100% acceptance to grad/professional programs. Popular majors include biological sciences (6%) and theology (5%), per US News. The academic culture emphasizes small classes (no official ratios provided) and a 'commitment to academic excellence'—though the 36% graduation rate (College Scorecard) suggests uneven student outcomes. Curiously, the website touts a 'nurturing environment for intellectual growth' but lacks concrete stats on faculty ratios or research opportunities.
Life at LCU orbits around Christian values and Southern hospitality. Per Niche, campus policies reflect Baptist traditions, including likely restrictions on alcohol (though specifics aren’t published). 70% of students live on campus, fostering a tight community with events like intramurals and chapel services. The vibe is 'casual, fun-loving' (LCU’s site) and 'welcoming' (Facebook posts), though niche interests may feel underserved. Pineville’s sleepy vibe means students road-trip to nearby Alexandria for entertainment. Notably, international students get orientation sessions to acclimate to rural Louisiana life.
LCU’s outcomes are a mixed bag. The 36% graduation rate (College Scorecard) lags behind national averages, with men graduating at 34% vs. women at 41% (Research.com). Yet select programs shine: the Natural Sciences Department claims 100% grad school placement, suggesting pockets of rigor. Economically, LCU punches above its weight locally, generating $48M in regional impact—part of a $2.64B collective boost from Louisiana’s private colleges. Job placement data is sparse, but the 96% financial aid uptake hints that many students are price-sensitive.
LCU is affordable by private college standards, with 96% of students receiving aid and an average grant of $9,156. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $15,470 (BigFuture), though 65% of students take loans. The school promotes FastWeb scholarships ($1B+ pool) and offers a net price calculator—but warns it’s not a formal aid guarantee. For context, LCU’s sticker price is roughly half of elite privates, aligning with its mission to serve middle-income, faith-oriented students.
LCU’s niche is unmistakable: a low-cost, high-touch Baptist education where science majors thrive alongside future ministers. Its 100% grad school acceptance rate in natural sciences defies its modest reputation, while the $48M local economic impact shows deep community ties. The 84% acceptance rate and sub-50% graduation rate signal it’s not for everyone—but for students seeking small classes, faith integration, and a shot at med school, LCU overdelivers. Just don’t expect a bustling urban vibe: this is unapologetically Pineville.
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