Our Lady Of The Lake University operates with an open access admission philosophy, though specific admission rates are not publicly reported through federal databases. The institution maintains modest academic expectations with an ACT midpoint of 19, which places admitted students above the 86th percentile of ACT test-takers nationally. This suggests the university balances accessibility with academic preparation standards appropriate for its mission of serving diverse student populations. The peer median ACT score of 23 indicates Our Lady Of The Lake University admits students with somewhat lower test score preparation compared to similar institutions. For prospective students, this accessibility combined with strong value-added outcomes creates favorable admission odds for those who demonstrate college readiness through various measures beyond standardized tests. Students should expect a holistic review process that considers multiple factors beyond test scores alone. The institution's high transfer enrollment of 27.1% indicates openness to students from various educational pathways, making it accessible to both traditional high school graduates and transfer students seeking to complete their degrees in San Antonio.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Our Lady Of The Lake University enrolls a highly diverse student body that reflects its commitment to educational access. The institution serves 57.5% Pell-eligible students, indicating more than half of enrolled students come from families with significant financial need. Additionally, 47.6% of students are first-generation college students, meaning nearly half have parents who did not complete bachelor's degrees. Transfer students comprise 27.1% of enrollment, reflecting the university's openness to students who begin their college careers elsewhere or return to education after breaks. This composition indicates Our Lady Of The Lake University prioritizes serving students who might face barriers at other institutions, including those from lower-income backgrounds and families without college experience. The high concentration of Pell-eligible and first-generation students suggests the university has developed strong support systems and financial aid programs to serve these populations effectively. For prospective students, these demographics indicate a campus environment where diverse backgrounds and non-traditional paths to college are valued and supported. Students from similar backgrounds should feel confident that they will find peers and institutional resources designed to support their success throughout their college journey.
Our Lady Of The Lake University demonstrates mixed success in supporting student persistence and completion. The retention rate of 58.3% indicates approximately 42% of freshmen do not return for sophomore year, which is below the peer median retention rate of 74.0%. The six-year graduation rate of 42.4% falls below the peer median of 54.9%, indicating completion challenges for a significant portion of enrolled students. However, Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 47.9%, which is 5.5 percentage points higher than the overall completion rate. This reverse gap suggests the institution provides particularly effective support for low-income students, helping them succeed at higher rates than their peers. The higher Pell completion rate is noteworthy and indicates strong institutional commitment to supporting financially disadvantaged students through to degree completion. Prospective students should consider these retention and completion patterns when evaluating fit. Those who gain admission can expect to find support systems specifically designed for first-generation and low-income students, though they should also prepare for the academic rigor and personal discipline required to persist through graduation. The institution's track record suggests students who engage fully with available support services have strong prospects for degree completion.
