Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
74% Acceptance Rate
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74%Acceptance Rate
3.77Avg GPA
1248Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$34,328Annual Cost
$61,251Grad Salary
25.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74%
Avg GPA
3.77
Avg SAT
1248
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1330
ACT Middle 50%
24–29
Avg Net Price
$20,015
Need-Based Aid
25.7% receive Pell
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a prestigious public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, high-impact research, and strong tradition of leadership. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a vibrant campus community that encourages innovation and professional development. Its extensive alumni network, state-of-the-art facilities, and long-standing reputation for success make it a top-tier choice for students.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Acceptance Rate
At 74%, admission to Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What LSU Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 74% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.32
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 1 for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Regular Admission — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 174 days left — Regular Admission
Regular Admission
February 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
LSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at LSU is 3.77. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.47 and 3.77? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.97–4.17.LSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.37 – 3.56
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.36
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test requirement is GPA-dependent: below a 3.5 weighted GPA, ACT/SAT submission becomes mandatory for admission and merit consideration.
- Merit scholarship priority deadline is December 15, distinct from the general application deadline.
- Engineering and E.J. Ourso College of Business review applicants with higher academic standards than general admission (typically 1200+ SAT, 3.6+ GPA referenced as competitive benchmarks).
- Louisiana residents can stack the state TOPS scholarship on top of LSU institutional merit aid, subject to a federal cost-of-attendance cap.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at LSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at LSU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into LSU Without SAT or ACT?
LSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Average SAT Score: 1248
Admitted students at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College average a 1248 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1248 — Slightly Competitive
A 1248 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1150? A retake is worth it at LSU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 610 | 560 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 630 | 590 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1248 | 1150 | 1330 |
A score under 1150 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1330+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in LSU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) ACT Requirements
LSU's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 27 |
| ACT English | 27 | 23 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 29 |
Can I get into Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of LSU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, LSU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for LSU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into LSU isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Check the 3.5 GPA threshold before deciding whether to submit test scores
Any first-year applicant with a cumulative weighted GPA below 3.5 is required to submit an ACT or SAT score to be considered for admission and merit scholarships - this isn't a universal test-optional policy; a student below that GPA line must test, while one above it can choose freely.
Apply to the Ogden Honors College separately and early - it is not automatic
Honors admission requires its own application with essays and separate priority deadlines; it's the gateway to LSU's largest scholarships (Stamps Scholars, President's Alumni Scholars), which cover full cost of attendance for a very small number of students each year - a strong applicant aiming for maximum aid needs to treat this as a distinct, effortful second application, not a checkbox.
Write the "Why LSU" essay around a specific program, professor, or research opportunity
LSU receives a high volume of applications, and generic essays are a common differentiator problem - naming something concrete (a specific research lab, a named professor, a departmental opportunity) sets an essay apart from the pool far more than general enthusiasm for the campus or state.
Investigate the Academic Common Market for out-of-state students in specific majors
Residents of participating SREB states can potentially get in-state tuition at LSU if their intended major isn't offered at a public university in their home state - this is application-based through the home state's SREB office plus LSU confirmation, and it's a genuine, underused cost-reduction path worth flagging for out-of-state families with a specific major target.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume LSU's ~71-72% acceptance rate means costs are equally accessible - but automatic stat-based merit aid is modest (the Tiger Legacy Scholarship tops out around $1,000/year even at a 28+ ACT), and the real money is gated behind the separate, competitive Ogden Honors College and Stamps/President's Alumni applications, which most applicants never pursue.
LSU Profile
Full Name
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU)
City
Baton Rouge
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70803-2750
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a LSU Degree Worth It?
Whether LSU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,500, and graduates see a 3.65% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from LSU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $34,328/year at LSU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $20,015.
At LSU, 25.7% receive a Pell Grant and 29.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming LSU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a LSU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, LSU graduates report a median income of $61,251, about 51% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at LSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About LSU Admissions
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $61,251/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is moderate, around $34,328/year; many students supplement with aid.
25.7% of Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's acceptance rate is 74%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College students is 3.77, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.47 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.37 or below makes admission tougher at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1248, and within the 1150–1330 range, keeps you competitive.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's deadline is February 1 (Regular Admission).
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 15, 2026. That's Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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