Louisiana State University

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.