Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>Highly ranked as a public school by <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i> </li><li>Acceptance rate is 16.3 percentage points higher than average </li><li>Student debt at graduation is $6,535 less than average </li><li>Endowment grew by nearly 14% between 2010 and 2011, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>Student-faculty ratio is 23:1, which is significantly higher than the average of 15:1 </li><li>4-year graduation rate is six percentage points lower than average </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis"> Rankings &amp; School Analysis</h3> <p><i>U.S. News and World Report</i> ranked LSU at #68 among Public Schools in 2014, and the school's undergraduate business and engineering programs were ranked in the top 100. In 2013, <i>DesignIntelligence</i>, an influential journal that annually ranks U.S. architecture and design programs, ranked LSU's landscape architecture programs among the top five in the country. </p> <p>Colleges and Schools at LSU include the E.J. Ourso College of Business, College of Art and Design, College of Music and Dramatic Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work, College of Education, Continuing Education, School of Library and Information Science, Manship School of Mass Communication, College of Agriculture, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of the Coast and Environment, College of Basic Sciences, College of Engineering, University College, Honors College and the Graduate School. Among undergraduate students business, education, engineering and social science programs are frequently preferred. </p> <p>A majority of the students who begin classes at LSU like the university. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 67% of 2011 first-year students decided to keep attending LSU after freshman year. However, of students who started their programs at LSU in 2006, only 34% graduated within four years, which is less than the national average of 40%. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAid"> Getting In &amp; Financial Aid</h2> <p>To enroll at LSU, students must fill out an online application and submit the application fee via a credit card. Transcripts and SAT or ACT test scores must also be sent through the high school. Transfer students with fewer than 30 semester hours must meet the same admission standards as incoming freshmen and submit college transcripts. Transfer students with at least 30 semester hours only need to submit an application, college transcripts and the application fee. Transfer applicants with at least 60 hours have to be accepted by their chosen senior college. </p> <p>The general application for undergraduate admission also serves as the application for LSU scholarships. If a student wants to apply for federal, state or LSU need-based financial help, he or she must also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). State grants include the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), which is available to eligible Louisiana residents who attend certain Louisiana institutions of higher education. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> April 15****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $40*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2012)</i> </td><td> 80%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Tuition &amp; Fees (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $6,989 (in-state)<br /> $22,265 (out-of-state)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2012)</i> </td><td> 27%****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2012)</i> </td><td> $20,125****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2010)</i> </td><td> 4.9%*</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---LifeAtLouisianaStateUniversityAndAgriculturalMechanicalCollege"> Life at Louisiana State University and Agricultural Mechanical College</h2> <p>LSU first opened in 1860 as the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana. Although it was closed for several periods of time during the Civil War and again in 1869 because of fire, it has otherwise been continually operated under several names, with the name Louisiana State University being conferred in 1870. </p> <p>The Career Services Office at LSU helps students and alumni to choose a career, get related work experience while in school, develop job search skills and get a job after graduation or admission to a professional or graduate school. There is an online program that lists jobs, on-campus interviews, resources and workshops related to career planning and hints for searching for a job. There is also a free, online mentoring system and a Virtual Career Consultant. </p> <p>LSU has on-campus living, including honors housing, apartments and typical large residence halls. Additionally, students can live in sorority and fraternity housing if they are members. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Urban***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2012)</i> </td><td> 24,626 undergraduate students<br /> 5,599 graduate students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2012)</i> </td><td> 49% to 51%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2012)</i> </td><td> 92%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 79%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 1%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> 83% full-time students<br /> 43% part-time students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 24%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Over 300 student clubs and organizations***</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **Louisiana State University and Agricultural Mechanical College, ***U.S. News &amp; World Report, ****College Board.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> 156 Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-2750 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (225) 578-3202</li></ul>