LSUA vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than LSUA based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 6,815 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

LSUA vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or UL Lafayette? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than UL Lafayette ($8,296 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 20.7% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($9,598 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 47.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $3,368 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.8% higher at UL Lafayette than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $9,496 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($11,762 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or UL Lafayette? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UL Lafayette and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 80 points higher than at LSUA (1100).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

LSUA vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and UL Lafayette? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $1,793 lower median loan debt than UL Lafayette graduates ($17,707 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UL Lafayette graduates ($183 vs. $201).
• More UL Lafayette graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.