Hammond, LApublicsoutheastern.edu
Admit rate has ranged 90%–99% 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.
Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution in Hammond, LA, known for its accessible admissions, strong regional reputation in business and nursing, and vibrant campus life. With a 94% acceptance rate and a net price of $13,116, it attracts a diverse student body seeking practical, career-focused education—though its 45% graduation rate reflects challenges some face in completing degrees.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
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.
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.
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.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Southeastern Louisiana University is highly accessible, with a 94% acceptance rate (US News, PrepScholar). The university evaluates applicants based on high school GPA, coursework, and ACT/SAT scores, though it describes itself as 'selective' in marketing materials. Notably, it does not accept the Common Application, requiring direct applications instead. Transfer admission is straightforward, with deferred admission options available for postponing enrollment by a term or year (Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare. 2022-2023).
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.
Southeastern offers 100+ majors, with business, nursing, and liberal arts dominating enrollment (US News, Niche). The College of Business stands out for its 3.9 average GPA among admitted students (Princeton Review), while nursing and psychology are also popular. Programs emphasize career readiness, with curricula designed to 'build in courses for flexibility' (Majors and Minors page).
Campus life thrives with 2,700+ students in on-campus housing (28% of enrollment) and 100+ student organizations (US News, Student Org page). The university promotes a tight-knit community, with public art installations and frequent events adding character ('100 Things to Love'). Greek life exists but isn’t dominant, and athletics (NCAA Division I Southland Conference) draw regional attention.
Graduation rates are a notable challenge: just 45% graduate within 6 years (Research.com), placing Southeastern in the bottom 30% nationally. However, 73% of freshmen return for sophomore year (Varsity Tutors), suggesting retention efforts have some success. Alumni earnings are modest:
Outcomes skew toward regional employment, with many graduates entering Louisiana’s healthcare and business sectors.
Southeastern is a budget-friendly option, especially for in-state students:
97% of freshmen receive aid, with an average award of $10,253 (Niche, College Raptor). The university offers scholarships tied to academics and auditions (e.g., music program), and encourages FAFSA completion for federal aid eligibility.
Southeastern Louisiana University excels in accessibility and regional impact, offering low-cost, career-oriented programs with strong ties to Louisiana’s job market. Its high acceptance rate makes it a practical choice for students with middling GPAs or test scores, while the business and nursing programs punch above their weight locally. However, the low graduation rate signals that support systems may need bolstering. For students seeking a communal, hands-on education in the South—with football games and crawfish boils as perks—it’s a compelling option.