University of Louisiana at Lafayette combines broad educational access with strong economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university serves 38.8% Pell-eligible students while delivering earnings that exceed expectations by $5,946, demonstrating effectiveness in translating educational opportunity into career advancement.
With above average outcomes, driven by earnings that exceed expectations despite moderate absolute levels
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier mobility outcomes with open access
University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranks #202 nationally in Azimuth's mobility analysis, with mobility performance at the 90.8th percentile nationally. Located in Lafayette, Louisiana, this large public university maintains open access admission with an 88.8% acceptance rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes.
The university enrolls 38.8% Pell-eligible students and 38.5% first-generation students, significantly exceeding typical access levels for four-year institutions. Graduates earn $5,946 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 76.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $47,089 ten years after enrollment, representing above-average performance in mobility outcomes despite below-average absolute earnings. University of Louisiana at Lafayette operates within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, characterized by institutions that provide broad access to higher education while achieving meaningful economic advancement for diverse student populations.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and earnings that exceed expectations. Graduates earn a median of $47,089 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $29,444 at the 25th percentile to $69,312 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $5,946 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 76.9th percentile nationally on this crucial measure of institutional effectiveness. Low-income graduates earn $43,900, demonstrating the university's ability to produce positive outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong mobility outcomes, particularly those from first-generation (38.5%) and lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for nursing, engineering, and business students who value practical career preparation with manageable debt levels at a comprehensive regional university.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette admits 88.8% of applicants, representing open access admission standards typical of comprehensive public universities. This means roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission, making University of Louisiana at Lafayette significantly more accessible than selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that University of Louisiana at Lafayette admits students at rates 10.7 percentage points higher than similar institutions, reflecting its mission to provide broad educational access. This level of accessibility means that most students with basic college preparation can expect admission offers.
The university's open access approach serves its role as a comprehensive regional institution, prioritizing educational opportunity over exclusivity. However, admission does not guarantee academic success, as evidenced by the 76.0% retention rate and 52.0% completion rate.
Prospective students should focus on academic preparedness and fit rather than admission competitiveness when considering University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette's published cost of attendance is $24,631 per year, including $24,146 in out-of-state tuition, $11,988 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. In-state students pay $10,418 in tuition, making attendance significantly more affordable for Louisiana residents.
However, the average student pays $14,118 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,513 from the sticker price. This net price of $14,118 compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, making University of Louisiana at Lafayette $1,472 more expensive than similar institutions but still competitive within the public university landscape.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most families, with net prices varying significantly by income level. The university's approach to pricing and aid reflects its mission to provide accessible higher education while managing operational costs.
Financial aid availability helps offset the moderate sticker price, creating opportunities for students across income levels to attend.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings increase from $42,668 six years after enrollment to $44,392 at eight years and $47,089 at ten years, representing 10.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 3,800 graduates at six years, 3,867 at eight years, and 3,827 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. The university produces $5,946 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it at the 76.9th percentile for value-added performance.
Low-income graduates earn $43,900, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income families. The earnings distribution spans from $29,444 at the 25th percentile to $69,312 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and varied career trajectories.
Approximately 27.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Petroleum Engineering.
47 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
44 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
132 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
66 graduates
Computer Science.
60 graduates
University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #59 nationally and #1 in Louisiana, producing 462 graduates with median earnings of $74,756 and a value score of 78.8, making it the institution's flagship program by enrollment and outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #104 nationally and #2 in Louisiana, graduating 132 students with median earnings of $80,330. Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician ranks #13 nationally and #1 in Louisiana, with 92 graduates earning $61,953.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #55 nationally and #2 in Louisiana, graduating 123 students with median earnings of $42,221. Computer Science ranks #149 nationally and #3 in Louisiana, producing 60 graduates with median earnings of $74,787.
General Studies represents the second-largest program by enrollment with 325 graduates, reflecting the university's comprehensive mission serving diverse student pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Iowa Similar quality tier (#202 ranked) | IA | 85% | $64,762 | #202 | Compare |
Stockton University Similar quality tier (#199 ranked) | NJ | 88% | $57,602 | #199 | Compare |
Oakland University Similar quality tier (#195 ranked) | MI | 70% | $58,612 | #195 | Compare |
Sonoma State University Similar quality tier (#206 ranked) | CA | 95% | $65,986 | #206 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Similar quality tier (#193 ranked) | MD | 74% | $69,960 | #193 | Compare |
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This is the University Of Louisiana At Lafayette hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-louisiana-at-lafayette/analysis.
