Louisiana State University (LSU) Tuition and Fees

Louisiana State University (LSU) Tuition and Fees

On this page:

    By Susan Guillory

    (Last Updated – 06/2022)

    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 School of Theatre was ranked the number two BA program in the US in 2018-19. So what does it cost to attend this institution? LSU tuition for the 2021-22 school year was $11,958 for in-state students, and LSU out of state tuition was $28,635. Compare this to the national averages for public four-year schools of $10,740 for in-state students and $27,560 for out-of-state students.

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $11,958

    $28,635

    Books & Supplies

    $1,038

    $1,038

    Room & Board

    $13,154

    $13,154

    Other Expenses

    $7,686

    $7,686

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $33,836

    $50,513

    Financial Aid

    For the 2019-20 school year, 98% 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 that 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, and financial need.

    •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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 and 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 34% of the students took out federal student loans, just 4% took out private student loans, with an average loan amount of $17,946.

    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 throughout 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 2021-22 rates, would be $135,344 for in-state and $202,052 for out-of-state. The total cost per year for a public university in the U.S. averages $26,820 per year, which is $107,280 for four years.

    Get Louisiana Student Loan & Scholarship Information here.

    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $11,958

    $28,635

    Room & Board

    $13,154

    $13,154

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $25,112

    $41,789

    Students who graduated from high schools in Louisiana paid $11,958 for LSU tuition and $13,154 for room and board in 2021-22, for a total of $25,112. Those who came from other states paid $28,635 for tuition and $13,154 for room and board, for a total of $41,789.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition

    $9,132

    $9,132

    Fees

    $3,899

    $20,834

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $13,031

    $27,130

    Students interested in graduate school at LSU, whether they were from in-state or out-of-state, paid $9,132 for tuition in 2021-22. The big discrepancy was in fees: in-state students paid just $3,899 in fees, while out-of-state students paid $20,834. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

    To compare, it costs on average $54,500 for a Master’s degree at a four-year public institution in the U.S.

    Cost per Credit Hour

    If you’re interested in attending LSU part-time, you would pay $197.10 per credit hour.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Books & Supplies

    $1,038

    $1,038

    Room & Board

    $13,154

    $1,084/mo*

    Other Expenses

    $7,686

    $7,686

    *Based on 1 bedroom pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on LSU’s off-campus housing website in 2022.

    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.

    Upperclassmen can opt to live off campus, and there are properties available through LSU’s off-campus living website.

    Find out about off-campus housing resource to learn more about off-campus housing.

    LSU Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2020

    Number of applications

    28,960

    Number accepted

    21,140

    Percentage Accepted

    73%

    The LSU acceptance rate is high. Of the number of students who apply, 73% 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 test-optional for the 2022 enrollment year. Here are the test scores for the 25th and 75th percentile:

    Subject

    25th Percentile

    75th Percentile

    SAT Evidence-Based
    Reading/Writing

    550

    660

    SAT Math

    540

    640

    ACT Composite

    23

    28

    ACT English

    23

    32

    ACT Math

    21

    27

    Graduation Rate

    How many students at LSU graduate in four or six years? Here’s data on the graduation rate for students who started in 2014.

    •  4 years: 39%

    •  6 years: 66%

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    After completing an undergraduate degree at LSU, students can earn, on average, $56,806 per year. This is above the median for four-year public schools of $47,891 per year.

    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.

    View Your Rate

    Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
    SoFi Loan Products
    SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

    External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
    SoFi Private Student Loans
    Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. SoFi Bank, N.A. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.

    SOPS0422020

    TLS 1.2 Encrypted
    Equal Housing Lender