Louisiana State University (LSU) Tuition and Fees

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.
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.
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
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
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
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
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 |
590 |
670 |
SAT Math |
560 |
660 |
ACT Composite |
24 |
29 |
ACT English |
23 |
31 |
ACT Math |
22 |
27 |
Popular Majors at LSU
LSU offers more than 330 fields to study. To help you narrow it down, here’s a look at the most popular majors.
1. Biology
A degree in biology prepares students for careers as environmental scientists, conservationists, medical professionals, and more. There is an optional concentration available in marine biology.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 368
2. Physical Education and Coaching
If the idea of becoming a coach, personal trainer, or physical therapist appeals to you, consider LSU’s physical education and coaching program. You’ll learn about kinesiology, health, and human performance.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 365
3. Mass Communication
Students interested in communication can choose from these concentrations: digital advertising, journalism, political communication, and public relations.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 282
4. Business Administration
LSU offers a robust degree in business, providing students with a solid foundation in accounting, economics, finance, information systems, and decision sciences, management, and marketing.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 225
5. Psychology
If you’re interested in human behavior, a degree in psychology might be a good fit. It can prepare you for a career as a counselor, school psychologist, crisis worker, or mental health advocate.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 219
6. Construction Management
Construction management majors will learn aspects of both business and engineering with coursework in estimating/budgeting, contract law, construction methods and materials, scheduling, safety, and effective communication.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 180
7. Marketing
Not only do marketing students have the opportunity to travel to Europe and learn marketing best practices at international firms, but they can also focus their studies on professional sales, digital marketing, or marketing analytics.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 212
8. Sport and Fitness Administration
This program teaches you the fundamentals behind managing the ever-evolving sport industry through hands-on experience. Students can concentrate in either sport commerce or sport leadership.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 159
9. Sociology
If you are intrigued by the patterns of human behavior, a sociology degree may be a good option. LSU sociology students learn how society functions and how individuals function within a society. Some students also concentrate in criminology.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 143
10. Interdisciplinary Studies
This program is meant for driven, independent, and creative students who think outside of the box. This degree allows you to design your own program at LSU to best fit your professional needs and helps you become an innovative problem-solver in organizations.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 127
To find out more about the majors LSU offers, check out this resource .
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.
Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
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