
Monroe, LApublicwww.ulm.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 70%–80% 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.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a public university with a relaxed admissions approach (74-85% acceptance rate) and a surprisingly strong regional reputation in niche programs like nursing (#2 in the nation) and atmospheric science. With 8,277 students kayaking on the bayou between classes and cheering on 15 D-1 sports teams, it blends affordability (average net price $11,160) with bayou-campus charm.
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.
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.
ULM takes a welcoming approach to admissions, 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 74.6% (College Board) to 85% (Niche). Test scores are considered but not required—middle 50% ranges are ACT 18-24 or SAT 1000-1210. The university emphasizes accessibility, with 98% of students receiving financial aid. Applications go to P.O. Box 41210 in Lafayette, LA, with admissions staff reachable at admissions@louisiana.edu.
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.
ULM offers 96 majors—from accounting to toxicology—with standouts including:
The university recently underwent a comprehensive academic review, affirming program strengths while identifying areas for evolution. Classes emphasize practical learning, particularly in business, education, and sciences.
Bayou-side campus life thrives here:
The Office of Career & Student Development gamifies involvement with point systems for campus adventures.
ULM reports:
While below national averages for 4-year graduation rates (34%), the university emphasizes affordability and regional career placement—particularly in healthcare and business fields.
ULM is a bargain by design:
In-state tuition runs $9,190/year versus $21,290 for out-of-state students. The Financial Aid Office (finaid@ulm.edu) aggressively promotes scholarships, with 318-342-5320 as the direct line for assistance.
ULM carves a distinct niche by pairing bayou-country camaraderie with unexpectedly strong programs. Its nursing graduates outperform Ivy League peers on licensing exams, while atmospheric science students train with rare equipment. The 29 national athletic championships—including baseball and fishing—fuel school spirit. For students seeking affordable, hands-on education with a side of kayaking between classes, few campuses rival ULM's blend of value and vibe.