Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is the public land-grant flagship of Louisiana, set on a Baton Rouge campus near the banks of the Mississippi River and known for Tiger Stadium and Mike, the live tiger who lives on campus. Admission is accessible by flagship standards: about 73% of roughly 47,000 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA around 3.83 with middle-50% ACT scores of 24–30. Business and marketing leads the degrees conferred at about 22%, followed by engineering and education, and LSU's R1 research standing pairs with low in-state tuition to keep it a strong value for Louisiana students.
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LSU admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
LSU does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
LSU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where LSU's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 77% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. LSU does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How LSU weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from LSU's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $16,677 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about LSU admissions
What is LSU's acceptance rate?＋
LSU admitted about 73.3% of applicants for Fall 2024, drawing roughly 47,000 applications and enrolling around 7,900 first-year students. The headline rate is accessible for a public flagship, though admission to selective programs and the Honors College runs tighter than the overall number suggests.
Is it hard to get into LSU?＋
LSU is lightly selective, admitting roughly 73% of applicants in the most recent cycle. Strong grades in a college-preparatory schedule matter most: the rigor of your high school record and academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors, and enrolled first-years average about a 3.83 GPA.
What are my chances of getting into LSU out of state?＋
Out-of-state applicants are admitted at a solid clip, just below in-state odds. For Fall 2024, LSU admitted 72.3% of out-of-state applicants (24,838 of 34,357) compared with 80.1% of in-state applicants (8,923 of 11,135). Geographical residence and state residency are listed as not considered in LSU's review, so where you live does not weigh against your file.
What GPA do you need to get into LSU?＋
Enrolled first-years at LSU average about a 3.83 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, and roughly 37% earned a 4.0. There is no published hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your coursework are both very important factors, so competitive applicants carry strong grades in a demanding schedule.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for LSU?＋
Yes, a 1300 is competitive at LSU: it sits in the upper half of enrolled students, just below the 75th-percentile mark of 1320. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1180–1320 on the SAT and 24–30 on the ACT, so a 1300 puts you at or above a typical admitted student.
Is LSU test-optional?＋
Yes, LSU is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1180–1320 on the SAT and 24–30 on the ACT. If you choose to submit, scores are weighed as a very important factor alongside GPA and course rigor.
How much does LSU cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $11,954 for Louisiana residents and $28,631 for out-of-state students. Around 59% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average package near $17,052, and LSU meets roughly 57% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at LSU?＋
Business and marketing leads at about 22% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at roughly 10% and education at about 9%. The life and social sciences round out the top areas, and as a land-grant university LSU also offers strong agriculture, coastal science, and communication programs.
Source: Louisiana State University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with LSU. Banner photo by Louisiana Sea Grant, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).