Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Online | lsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Rural Fringe |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Louisiana State University's main campus occupies 2,000 acres in Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital city, situated along the Mississippi River. The campus features Italian Renaissance architecture throughout its academic core, with many buildings constructed in the 1920s and 1930s during its transformation from a small land-grant college to a major university. LSU is recognized as the state's flagship public institution, offering comprehensive academic programs with particular strengths in engineering, business, life sciences, and creative writing. The university maintains selective admission standards for its undergraduate programs and houses the majority of first-year students in on-campus residential halls. As a member of the Southeastern Conference, LSU's Tigers compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with its football program playing home games in Tiger Stadium, one of the largest college football venues in the country.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
LSU is rated within the top 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Louisiana State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#287 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#78 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Louisiana
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Louisiana
#235 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Louisiana
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1150/1330 |
| ACT | 24/29 |
| GPA | 3.77 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,084 |
| Other Fees | $3,916 |
| Room and Board | $14,296 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,884 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,218 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 18% |
| Education | 10% |
| Engineering | 9% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering LSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=159391 IPEDS survey data for Louisiana State University.
Current students may use the Louisiana State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025