Last Updated: Monday July 13, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Baton Rouge, Louisiana 82.9% Acceptance Rate

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.franu.edu/

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

82.9%Acceptance Rate
3.23Avg GPA
$27,314Annual Cost
$59,419Grad Salary
35.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
82.9%
Avg GPA
3.23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
35.8% receive Pell

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a Catholic, mission-focused institution in Louisiana known for its commitment to academic excellence, service, and the health sciences. Offering programs in nursing, health sciences, and behavioral sciences, the university provides a supportive and holistic educational experience. Its emphasis on servant leadership and compassionate care makes it a premier choice for students seeking to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Acceptance Rate

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 82.9%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.

Admissions Guidelines

  • Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
  • Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 82.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.78
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.

Key Admission Dates

🔄
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime

FranU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

FranU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at FranU is 3.23. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.

A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.

Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.43-3.63 for this same academic profile.

If your GPA is between 2.93 and 3.23, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.

FranU GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.

Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).

Admissions at FranU utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.23, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.83 – 3.02
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.82
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics

  • Renamed from Our Lady of the Lake College to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in October 2016, coinciding with the launch of its first Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia cohort
  • Does not currently accept international student applications; U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required
  • Only Franciscan Catholic university in the Southern U.S.; organized into three schools (Arts & Sciences, Health Professions, Nursing)
  • Rolling admissions, $35 application fee, does not use the Common App; class sizes are kept to roughly 17-20 students
  • The Rigor Metric: At FranU, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
  • The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.

Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at FranU

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's verified institutional data

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into FranU Without SAT or ACT?

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for FranU

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

FranU is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.

Confirm citizenship/residency status before anything else

FranU currently does not accept international student applications - applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be considered at all. This isn't a competitiveness issue; it's a hard eligibility gate, so confirm this with a prospective student in the very first conversation rather than after building out an application.

Don't let the 2016 name change create a transcript or transfer-credit mismatch

FranU was called Our Lady of the Lake College until October 2016 - and, separately, that exact former name also belonged to the unrelated Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Any legacy transcripts, articulation agreements, or recommendation letters referencing "Our Lady of the Lake College" should be double-checked to confirm they're tied to the correct institution and state.

Point directly at the clinical infrastructure in health-program essays

FranU has 10,000 square feet of simulated clinical learning space and is the only institution in Louisiana with three digital cadavers for anatomy instruction. A nursing, medical lab science, or health professions applicant who names these specific resources and explains how they plan to use them reads as far more prepared than one using generic "I want to help people" language.

Frame service hours as sustained community partnership, not one-off volunteering

FranU holds the Carnegie Foundation's Community-Engaged Campus classification and has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll multiple times, built on relationships with 130 community partners across 17 parishes. Applicants who can describe an ongoing, repeated service commitment (not a single one-time event) are speaking the university's own institutional language back to it.

Expert Insight:

The single most consequential and easy-to-miss fact is the international admissions restriction - a strong applicant who isn't a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cannot be admitted under current policy, regardless of academic profile, so this should be confirmed before any other application step is taken.

FranU Profile

Full Name
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU)
City
Baton Rouge
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70808
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Is a FranU Degree Worth It?

Getting into FranU can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. FranU offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.

Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at FranU is $54,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.76%.

How much does a degree from FranU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is $27,314. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is much less than this.

35.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 48.5 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to FranU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist FranU as your choice in the form.

How much does a FranU Graduate earn?

The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $59,419. An average FranU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.

$27,314Annual Cost
35.8%Pell Grant
48.5%Federal Loan
$59,419Grad Salary (10yr)

Degree Programs at FranU

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Doctoral Degree Programs

Associate Degree Programs

UG Certificate or Diploma Programs

First Professional Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About FranU Admissions

Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $59,419 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.

The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $27,314 per year, making it more affordable for many students.

35.8% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.

The acceptance rate of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is 82.9% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.

The average GPA of admitted students is 3.23. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.

While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.93, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.93, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.

If your GPA is 2.83 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.

While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.23, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.

Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.

To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.

Last Updated: Monday July 13, 2026

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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