Admit rate has ranged 71%–76% over the last 5 years. 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 State University isn't just a school; it's a cultural institution where the Saturday night lights of Tiger Stadium are as revered as the academic rigor of its nationally ranked Landscape Architecture and Engineering programs. With a sprawling, Italian Renaissance-style campus in Baton Rouge, LSU offers a quintessential big-state-university experience—accessible, spirited, and deeply connected to its home turf—where more than 330 academic programs meet a legendary game-day atmosphere. It’s a place where you can get a top-tier education in coastal environmental science and then join 100,000 of your closest friends to cheer on the Tigers.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
30,594
In-state tuition
$11,954
Out-of-state tuition
$28,631
No-Loan Policy
Not stated in sources
Graduation Rate
69%
Meets Full Need
Not stated in sources
First-Year Retention
Not stated in sources
Regular App Deadline
April 15
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,251
Number of Academic Programs
330+
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,251
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
27%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
27%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Veterinary Medicine$78,029
Chemical Engineering$76,460
Industrial Engineering$73,949
Mechanical Engineering$71,402
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$68,965
Construction Management$67,101
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
57
Per 1,000 students
1.50
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
108
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
48°F
Annual rain
61.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's acceptance rate is approximately 73% (Baton Rouge, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College?
Admitted students at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College typically score 1180–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College cost?
At Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,151 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College enrolls approximately 30,594 undergraduate students.
Where is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College located?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is located in Baton Rouge, LA.
Admissions
LSU’s admissions process is characterized by its accessibility, with a high that reflects its role as Louisiana’s flagship public university. The university is , allowing applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. For those who do submit, the middle 50% SAT range is 1180–1340, and the ACT range is 24–30. Academic factors are paramount in the decision; the most important considerations are the rigor of a student’s secondary school record, their GPA, and standardized test scores (if submitted). Non-academic factors like extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities are also considered. Notably, demonstrated interest—tracking whether a student visits campus or engages with admissions materials—is not considered in the evaluation process. The university received tens of thousands of applications for recent cycles, admitting a large majority, which results in a high acceptance rate but a relatively modest rate (the percentage of admitted students who enroll). The regular decision application deadline is April 15.
Key Admission Factors (Considered): Rigor of secondary school record, GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities.
Not Considered: Demonstrated interest.
Application Volume: Recent cycles saw tens of thousands of applicants, with over 28,500 admitted for Fall 2024.
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.
Computer Engineering
$66,915
Civil Engineering$61,330
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.
LSU’s academic identity is built on a foundation of hands-on, research-intensive programs, many with national reputations. Students can choose from more than 330 academic programs across its colleges. The curriculum emphasizes practical application and high-impact educational practices: 89% of classes utilize writing in the disciplines, 64% require a senior capstone or culminating academic experience, 34% offer first-year experiences, and 21% incorporate service learning. Certain colleges stand out for their return on investment and national rankings. The College of Engineering boasts the #9 best ROI in the nation, and its 2023-24 graduates reported an 84% positive post-graduate outcome rate. The Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture is consistently ranked #1 in the nation. LSU is also a national leader in Coastal Environmental Science, a critical field for the Gulf Coast region. This blend of prestigious, specialized programs within a large, comprehensive research university defines the LSU academic experience.
Life at LSU is dominated by a vibrant, tradition-steeped campus culture that is as much a part of the education as the classrooms. The main campus, dedicated in 1926, features more than 250 buildings constructed in the Italian Renaissance style, creating a distinct and grand architectural atmosphere. Campus Life is the central hub for student organizations and LSU's largest traditions, actively developing student leaders. Every incoming first-year student is assigned a dedicated Student Success Team focused on ensuring a strong start. The social heartbeat of the university is inextricably linked to its athletic programs, particularly football; the game-day scene is legendary, drawing comparisons to other major football schools like Texas A&M. This fusion of strong academic support systems and an unabashedly spirited, communal atmosphere defines the LSU student experience.
LSU graduates enter the workforce with solid financial prospects, typically earning more than the national median for college graduates. The university’s six-year graduation rate is strong, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Engineering graduates see particularly robust outcomes, with 84% of the 2023-24 class reporting positive post-graduate outcomes (including employment, continued education, or military service). While early-career earnings for typical graduates are reported around $45,000, the median earnings ten years after entry are significantly higher. The Class of 2029 was noted as the largest and most accomplished in university history, indicating a continuing trend of attracting and preparing high-achieving students.
As a public flagship, LSU offers a relatively accessible , though most students rely on financial aid to bridge the gap. A high percentage (88%) of full-time beginning undergraduates receive some form of grant or scholarship aid. The university provides a Net Price Calculator on its financial aid website to help first-time undergraduate freshmen estimate their actual cost after factoring in grants and scholarships. It’s important to note that while LSU offers substantial aid, none of the provided sources indicate it has a "no-loan" financial aid policy, where loans are eliminated from packages for qualifying students. Families should use the official calculator and consult directly with the Financial Aid & Scholarships office for the most accurate and personalized assessment.
LSU stands out for its powerful, almost paradoxical blend of elite, niche academic excellence and massive, communal school spirit. It’s a place where you can study in the nation’s #1 ranked Landscape Architecture program or lead research in coastal environmental science, then walk across a breathtaking Italian Renaissance campus to join a sea of purple and gold on a football Saturday. Unlike many selective private colleges, it doesn’t play games with demonstrated interest—what matters is your academic record. It serves as both a vital engine for the state of Louisiana, educating a majority of its students from in-state, and a national draw for its top-tier programs in engineering and design. The outcome is a university that feels both grand and grounded, offering a classic big-school experience with pockets of world-class academic intensity.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College seal · sourceLouisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU Baton Rouge) - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceLouisiana State University and A&M College - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · sourceVisit Campus | LSU · source
