Louisiana's Public Universities: Student Population Insights

Louisiana is home to several colleges and universities, including some of the most recognisable in the US. The state's higher education institutions include public universities, private colleges, and community colleges. In total, there are 127 colleges in Louisiana, including 36 four-year colleges and universities. The total student population of Louisiana colleges for the 2022-2023 academic year was 177,175, with an undergraduate proportion of 78.79% (139,599 students) and a graduate proportion of 21.21% (37,576 students). Louisiana State University has the highest number of students, with an enrolment of 37,348.

Louisiana State University: 37,348 students

Louisiana State University, also known as LSU, is a public university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With 37,348 students, it has the largest student population of all the colleges in the state.

LSU was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy. It was established near Pineville, Louisiana, and was initially a military academy. The school was closed during the American Civil War, but reopened in 1865. It was officially renamed Louisiana State University in 1870.

The current LSU campus was dedicated in 1926 and consists of more than 250 buildings constructed in the style of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The campus spans 650 acres on the banks of the Mississippi River.

LSU offers a wide range of programs across more than a dozen colleges, including graduate degrees in the E.J. Ourso College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the law school. The university is classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and operates hundreds of sponsored research projects in various fields.

LSU's athletics department is widely recognised, with teams in 21 varsity sports and membership in the NCAA and SEC. The university's mascot, Mike the Tiger, is a live Bengal tiger, one of only two such mascots in US higher education.

LSU has a rich history and has produced notable alumni in various fields, including four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and author Nic Pizzolatto.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: 12,950 students

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) is a public research university in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is the largest university in the nine-campus University of Louisiana System and the second-largest in the state, with 12,950 students.

History

UL Lafayette was founded in 1898 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. It became a four-year university in the 20th century and adopted its current name in 1999. The university has a rich history of achievements in computer science, engineering, and architecture.

Academics

UL Lafayette offers over 80 undergraduate degree programs, 27 master's degree programs, and 10 doctoral degree programs. It is the only university in Louisiana to offer a Ph.D. in Francophone Studies, a Master's of Informatics, and an Industrial Design degree. The university is classified as an "R1: Doctoral University" with "very high research activity".

Campus and Facilities

The main campus of UL Lafayette spans 145 acres, with a total of 1,300 acres across multiple campuses and research centres. The university has a multipurpose arena, the Cajundome, with a capacity of 12,800 seats, and an adjacent convention centre. The athletic complex, including Cajun Field, can accommodate nearly 37,000 fans. The university library, Edith Garland Dupré Library, is one of the most technologically advanced in Louisiana.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics in the NCAA's Division 1. They participate in 16 NCAA sports, including baseball, basketball, football, softball, and women's soccer, among others. The softball team has been particularly successful, with numerous regular-season and conference tournament championships.

Student Life

UL Lafayette has a vibrant student community, with over 200 student organizations. The university's Greek community comprises 23 organizations, with active participation from students. The university is committed to providing access to higher education for lower-income students and has been recognised as a national leader in social mobility.

Southeastern Louisiana University: 12,426 students

Louisiana is home to some of the most well-known colleges and universities in the United States. The state boasts 62 colleges, with Louisiana State University topping the list in terms of student population with 37,348 students.

Southeastern Louisiana University, located in Hammond, is a public institution that was founded in 1925. It is the state's third-largest public university, with a student population of 12,709 as of Fall 2023. The university offers a challenging college experience with over 150 programs of study and a semester-based academic calendar. Its campus spans 365 acres and has a rural setting, providing a close-knit community for its students.

The university prioritises the success of its students and promotes continuous enrolment to help them progress towards graduation. With a small-town location, Southeastern Louisiana University offers a safe and intimate learning environment, fostering a sense of community among its students.

The university's mission is to drive the educational, economic, and cultural development of Southeast Louisiana. It emphasises personal attention to its students, creating a supportive atmosphere for engaged learners. The university also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, working towards making its campus greener.

Southeastern Louisiana University provides a well-rounded educational experience, focusing on both academic excellence and the overall well-being of its students. With a diverse range of programs and a strong sense of community, the university offers a unique and enriching educational journey for its student body.

Louisiana Tech University: 9,924 students

Louisiana Tech University is a public research university in Ruston, Louisiana, with an enrollment of 12,463 students across five academic colleges as of the Fall 2018 quarter. The university offers over 135 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Louisiana Tech's student body is diverse, with members from every Louisiana parish, 43 U.S. states, and 64 foreign countries.

The university's Fall 2016 incoming freshman class consisted of 2,018 students, with an average ACT score of 24.7. The university's student body consists of 50.2% women and 49.8% men, with a significant proportion of students from Louisiana, accounting for 85.0% of the total student population.

Louisiana Tech has a strong focus on STEM programs, with biology, computer science, and mechanical engineering being the most popular majors. The university also has a College of Liberal Arts and is recognised as a Top Tier National University. It provides ample opportunities for hands-on learning and research, with innovative studios, labs, and classrooms that foster a culture of excellence.

The university's sports teams, known as the Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division I sports, with 16 varsity teams and a rich history of success, especially in football and women's basketball. Louisiana Tech University's campus spans 280 acres, offering a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the oldest being the Ropp Center, constructed in 1911.

Tulane University of Louisiana: 8,785 students

Louisiana is home to some of the most well-known colleges and universities in the United States. The state boasts 62 colleges, including Tulane University of Louisiana, which has a student population of 8,785.

Tulane University, a private research university located in New Orleans, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1834. Initially established as the Medical College of Louisiana, it became a public university in 1847 and was later privatised in 1884 through endowments from Paul Tulane and Josephine Louise Newcomb. Today, it offers over 75 majors and minors to its students.

The university's main campus is situated in Uptown New Orleans, spanning over 110 acres. The campus features a diverse range of architectural styles, including Richardsonian Romanesque and Italian Renaissance. It is known for its impressive live oak trees and architecturally significant buildings, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Tulane University is divided between the main uptown campus and a downtown campus, which houses the health science programs. The uptown campus, also known as the St. Charles campus, is home to the School of Architecture and is located directly opposite Audubon Park. The downtown campus, on the other hand, is situated in the Central Business District and houses the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the main campus of the Tulane Medical Center.

The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University is the only specialty school of its kind in the United States. Additionally, the university boasts a well-regarded law school, with notable alumni including former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

With a total undergraduate enrolment of 7,295 as of fall 2023, Tulane University fosters a vibrant and engaging community for its students. It encourages student involvement through over 200 student organisations, including 24 sororities and fraternities. The university also prioritises academic excellence, ranking #63 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

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