Louisiana State University (LSU) Tuition and Fees

Louisiana State University (LSU) Tuition and Fees

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    By Susan Guillory

    (Last Updated – 01/2025)

    Total Cost of Attendance

    Louisiana State University, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a comprehensive school, offering a wide variety of programs to study. Its Flores online MBA program was ranked #1 in Louisiana by Online MBA Report in 2023. So what does it cost to attend this institution? LSU tuition for the 2023-24 school year is $11,954 for in-state students, and out-of-state tuition is $28,631. Compare this to the national averages for public four-year schools of $11,260 for in-state students and $29,150 for out-of-state students.

    Estimated Costs for 2023-24

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $11,954

    $28,631

    Books & Supplies

    $1,084

    $1,084

    Room & Board

    $14,296

    $14,296

    Other Expenses

    $7,884

    $7,884

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $35,218

    $51,895

    Financial Aid

    For the 2022-23 school year, 93% of students at Louisiana State University received some form of financial aid, which includes student loans, scholarships, and grants to help with LSU tuition.

    Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

    The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

    •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

    •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

    •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

    •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

    Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

    You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

    •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

    •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

    Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

    Private Student Loans

    While 37% of the students took out federal student loans, just 6% took out private student loans, with an average loan amount of $20,637.

    Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

    What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

    Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

    If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

    Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

    Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

    The price for LSU tuition, room and board, books, and other fees for four years, based on the 2023-24 rates, would be $140,872 for in-state and $207,580 for out-of-state. In comparison, the average total cost for four years for a public university in the U.S. is $115,360 for in-state students, and $186,920 for out-of-state.

    Get Louisiana Student Loan & Scholarship Information here.

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    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Estimated Costs for 2023-24

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $11,954

    $28,631

    Books & Supplies

    $1,084

    $1,084

    Room & Board

    $14,296

    $14,296

    Other Expenses

    $7,884

    $7,884

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $35,218

    $51,895

    Students who graduate from high school in Louisiana pay $11,954 for LSU tuition and $14,296 for room and board in 2023-24. Those who come from other states pay $28,631 for tuition and $16,222 for food and housing. The cost of books and supplies ($1,084) and other expenses ($7,884) are the same for both types of students.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Estimated Costs for 2023-24

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $13,027

    $29,962

    In-state students interested in graduate school at LSU pay $13,027 for tuition and fees in 2023-24, while out-of-state students pay $29,962. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs. To compare, it costs on average $10,320 per year for graduate school at a four-year public institution in the U.S.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    Estimated Costs for 2023-24

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Room & Board

    $14,296

    $16,222

    Other Expenses

    $7,844

    $7,844

    All first-year students must live on campus at LSU. There are both residence halls and residential colleges to choose from. The residential colleges consist of smaller communities of students who have common majors or interests.

    Upperclass students can opt to live off campus, and there are properties available through LSU’s off-campus living website. Find out about off-campus housing resources to learn more about off-campus housing.

    LSU Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2023

    Number of applications

    42,558

    Number accepted

    31,493

    Percentage Accepted

    74%

    The LSU acceptance rate is high. Of the 42,558 students who apply, 74% are accepted.

    Admission Requirements

    Here’s what you need to apply to attend LSU:

    Required:

    •  Academic record

    •  Letters of recommendation

    •  Secondary school GPA

    Recommended:

    •  SAT or ACT scores

    You can apply to LSU here .

    SAT and ACT Scores

    Louisiana State University is a test-optional institution. Here are the test scores for the 25th and 75th percentile:

    Subject

    25th Percentile

    75th Percentile

    SAT Evidence-Based
    Reading/Writing

    590

    670

    SAT Math

    560

    660

    ACT Composite

    24

    29

    ACT English

    23

    31

    ACT Math

    22

    27

    Graduation Rate

    How many students at LSU graduate? The 6-year graduation rate for students who started in 2017 is 71%.

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    After completing an undergraduate degree at LSU, students can earn, on average, $61,000 per year. The overall average starting salary for the class of 2024 in the U.S. is $68,516.

    Bottom Line

    Louisiana State University offers so many fields of study, that there is something for everyone. And with a high acceptance rate and reasonable tuition, LSU is a good option for those looking to further their education.

    SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no origination fees.

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    Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
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