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Louisiana State University Online

Highlights

  • A large, public university with more than 30,000 students.
  • Over 235 academic programs available.
  • Notable alumni include Shaquille O'Neal and Hubert Humphrey.

Overview

As one of Louisiana's cornerstone universities, LSU first opened its doors in 1860. While it began as a male-only military school, LSU now welcomes a diverse student body. Women make up 50.8% of the undergraduate learners at LSU and 52% of the graduate degree candidates. Ethnic minorities account for 16.7% of undergraduate students and 13.5% of students seeking master's degrees or above. Online learners can take individual undergraduate courses to supplement on-campus learning, or they can complete their entire graduate-level program from a distance.

Louisiana State University's Accreditation, Tuition, and Admissions Info

Accreditation and Approvals

LSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Several colleges within the school earn specialized accreditations as well, including the following.

  • Art and Design
    • Council for Interior Design Accreditation
    • Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board
    • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
    • National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • Science
    • American Chemical Society
    • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
    • Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs
  • Agriculture
    • Society of American Foresters
    • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Business
    • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
    • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
  • Mass Communication
    • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
    • American Psychological Association
    • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
    • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
  • Engineering
    • American Council for Construction Education
    • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Human Sciences and Education
    • American Library Association
    • Council on Social Work Education
    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
    • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training and Education
    • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Tuition

  • Online graduate: $326-$1,110 per credit.
  • Undergraduate resident: $5,976 per semester up to 15 credits.
  • Undergraduate nonresident: $14,318 per semester up to 15 credits.

Admissions

Because the school does not offer online bachelor's programs, undergraduate learners must apply for the on-campus school. The university does not publish absolute minimum requirements. However, the middle 50% of accepted applicants have ACT scores between 23 and 28 or SAT scores between 1100 and 1270. Eighty percent of freshmen at LSU are in the top half of their high school graduating classes.

Each graduate program at LSU posts its own admissions requirements. Some departments require candidates to submit GRE scores, while others expect specific courses on an applicant's transcripts.

Other Statistics

  • Students from states outside Louisiana make up 18.5% of the undergraduate population, and 47.3% or graduate learners.
  • The median starting salary for a bachelor's degree graduate is $51,400.
  • The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1.

School Profile

  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Full-Time Freshman Retention Rate: 72%
  • Required Standardized Test: ACT/SAT for undergraduates, some graduates need GRE
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 67.4%
  • Athletics: NCAA Division I, Southeastern Conference
  • Mascot: Tigers
  • Colors: Purple and gold
  • Address: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
  • Phone Number: (225) 578-1645
  • Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Online Degrees Offered

  • LSU does not offer complete associate or bachelor's programs online, but students can take some bachelor's courses online.
  • Undergraduate learners can complete three different undergraduate credit certificates.
  • The school offers eight master's degrees and four graduate certificate programs through distance education.

MEMBER, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING