Louisiana State University admits 74% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places LSU in the moderately selective range, making it accessible to most qualified students while maintaining academic standards. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates LSU is slightly more selective than typical institutions of similar scale and mission, accepting about 4 percentage points fewer applicants than comparable universities. This level of selectivity creates favorable conditions for most serious applicants, particularly those with solid academic preparation matching the university's standards. Students should approach LSU as a realistic target school rather than a reach, though competitive programs like engineering may have higher internal admission standards. The moderately selective admission rate allows LSU to maintain academic quality while fulfilling its public mission of serving Louisiana residents and qualified out-of-state students. For prospective applicants, this selectivity level means that strong high school performance, rather than exceptional credentials, typically suffices for admission consideration. Students building college lists should view LSU as a solid foundation choice that combines accessibility with strong post-graduation outcomes, particularly for those interested in engineering, business, or agricultural programs where the university demonstrates exceptional strength.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at LSU typically present strong academic credentials that reflect the university's moderately selective standards. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1150-1330, with the middle 50% falling within this band and a median of 1248. The SAT Math range spans 560-660, while SAT Verbal scores range from 590-670, indicating balanced academic preparation across quantitative and verbal domains. ACT scores range from 24-29 with a median of 26, demonstrating solid college readiness among enrolled students. These test score ranges place LSU 50 points above the peer median SAT score of 1198, indicating the university attracts academically stronger students than typical institutions of similar scale and mission. Students scoring at or above the 75th percentile (1330 SAT, 29 ACT) represent the most academically competitive enrolled students, while those at the 25th percentile (1150 SAT, 24 ACT) demonstrate the minimum competitive range for admission. It's important to understand that these ranges represent enrolled students, not admission requirements—students with scores below the 25th percentile can still gain admission but represent a smaller portion of the enrolled class. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, keeping in mind that LSU's 74% admission rate creates realistic prospects for most applicants with solid high school preparation. For students whose scores fall below the 25th percentile range, LSU may represent more of a reach, while those within or above the range should expect competitive standing for admission.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Louisiana State University enrolls a student body that reflects both academic preparation and moderate economic diversity. The university enrolls 25.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating about 1 in 4 students come from lower-income families, though this share is below typical public research universities. First-generation students comprise 26.6% of enrollment, demonstrating the university serves a meaningful population of students whose families lack college experience. Transfer students represent 12.4% of enrollment, indicating LSU primarily focuses on traditional four-year students rather than serving as a major transfer destination. This student composition suggests LSU draws from academically prepared populations while maintaining some economic diversity, though the relatively lower Pell share indicates the student body skews toward middle and upper-middle-class backgrounds. The combination of solid test scores (SAT median 1248) and moderate socioeconomic diversity reflects LSU's position as a quality public research university that attracts academically capable students from various economic backgrounds. Students from lower-income families should note the 25.7% Pell share when assessing institutional fit, recognizing they would be part of a significant but minority population. First-generation students should consider the 26.6% share as evidence that more than 1 in 4 enrolled students share their background, suggesting institutional familiarity with supporting students navigating college without family college experience.
Given LSU's 74% acceptance rate, most qualified applicants gain admission. However, students seeking alternatives should consider these options with different admission profiles or geographic locations.
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LSU demonstrates solid institutional support for student success, with outcomes varying modestly across student populations. The university maintains an 84% freshman retention rate, essentially matching the peer median of 83.7%, indicating typical performance in keeping students enrolled from first to second year. Six-year graduation rates reach 71%, compared to a peer median of 65.9%, demonstrating LSU's above-average success in degree completion relative to similar institutions. Pell-eligible students graduate at 61%, creating a 10 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap, while notable, falls within the typical range for public research universities and indicates some differential outcomes based on economic background, though the majority of Pell-eligible students still complete their degrees. The retention and completion data suggest that students who gain admission to LSU generally find the academic environment supportive for degree progress, with most freshmen returning for sophomore year and about 7 in 10 students completing degrees within six years. Lower-income students should weigh the 10-point Pell completion gap when considering LSU, recognizing that while the majority of Pell students succeed, they face modestly greater challenges in degree completion compared to their more affluent peers. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic environment they'll experience, with expectations for strong institutional support while recognizing that success requires consistent academic engagement throughout their enrollment.
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