Alexandria, LApublicwww.lsua.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 56%–93% 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 State University at Alexandria (LSUA) is a public university offering an accessible, career-focused education in central Louisiana. With a 92% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on practical degree programs like Nursing and Business Administration, LSUA serves as a regional hub for students seeking affordable pathways to workforce readiness. While graduation rates lag behind national averages, its tight-knit campus life and accelerated STEM programs provide distinctive opportunities.
Test scores required
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
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.
Campus & location
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.
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.
LSUA is one of Louisiana's most accessible four-year universities, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 78% to 92% across sources. The university prioritizes broad access: admitted students typically have an ACT range of 17–22 or SAT scores around 1100, with out-of-state applicants eligible for fee waivers with a 2.25 GPA and minimum 21 ACT/1030 SAT. Recent data shows 959 applicants, 883 acceptances, and 6,815 enrolled students, reflecting its role as a regional institution.
LSUA emphasizes career-aligned programs, with Nursing, Liberal Arts, and Accounting as top majors. The university recently launched accelerated 90-credit STEM bachelor’s degrees designed for efficiency without sacrificing rigor. Secondary education certification is available for biology, English, history, and math majors. While niche programs like these show promise, the university’s broader academic profile leans toward practical training over research intensity.
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.
Campus life at LSUA centers on engagement through student organizations and annual traditions. The university promotes a 'vibrant' atmosphere with events tailored to diverse interests, supported by a Student Success Team for each freshman. Instagram posts highlight peer mentoring and community-building activities, though the scale is more intimate than LSU’s flagship campus—expect a commuter-heavy population with pockets of residential involvement.
Graduation rates are a challenge: just 36% of students graduate overall (26.5% for four-year rates), placing LSUA in the bottom 15% nationally. Early-career earnings are modest, with Business Administration graduates averaging $38,225 one year post-graduation and $49,772 by year four. Median earnings across all majors one year out are $36,427, slightly below state averages but with relatively low debt-to-earnings ratios.
Affordability is a cornerstone of LSUA’s appeal. The average federal grant aid is $6,004, supplemented by $4,603 in state grants and $1,625 from institutional funds. Pell Grants average $5,869. Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators help estimate costs, though the university’s low sticker price (combined with high Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.) positions it as a budget-conscious choice for Louisiana residents.
LSUA carves a niche as a no-frills, access-oriented university with accelerating STEM tracks and deep ties to regional employers. Its 92% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and below-average graduation metrics reflect its mission to serve underprepared students, while programs like Nursing and accelerated degrees offer clearer ROI. For central Louisianans seeking affordable career pathways—especially in healthcare and business—it’s a pragmatic option, albeit one requiring self-directed navigation of its support systems.