Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Lafayette, Louisiana
88.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Louisiana at Lafayette — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.8%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
1219Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$24,631Annual Cost
$47,089Grad Salary
38.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.8%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
1219
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1120–1255
ACT Middle 50%
23–27
Avg Net Price
$14,118
Need-Based Aid
38.8% receive Pell
University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public research university that emphasizes regional impact, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Admissions are based on a combination of academic record and standardized test scores, with a focus on core curriculum completion. The university seeks students who are ready to engage in its active research programs and contribute to its vibrant campus life, which celebrates regional culture and academic growth.
Applicants should highlight their consistency in academic performance and their involvement in extracurricular activities. Because the university has a strong tradition of student collaboration and innovation, highlighting a capacity for teamwork in high school settings is highly encouraged. A successful application demonstrates a student's readiness for the transition to university-level research and professional preparation, while also showing an understanding of how to participate in the university's unique campus and regional community.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Louisiana at Lafayette is inclusive by design. 88.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Louisiana at Lafayette follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 123 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UL Lafayette 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.
Priority
December 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.
UL Lafayette GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UL Lafayette is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.10–3.4 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.60–3.80.UL Lafayette GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Freshman admission allows either a test score OR a 3.0 unweighted GPA to satisfy each of the English and math requirement areas independently - not a single combined threshold
- Louisiana high school graduates face an additional Core 4 Curriculum requirement (19 specific Board of Regents units) beyond the general freshman criteria; out-of-state and homeschooled applicants follow a separate track
- No essay or letters of recommendation required; test scores are not strictly required for initial admission review but must be submitted officially to finalize the admission decision and qualify for academic scholarships
- Automatic scholarship consideration begins at application, but all scholarship requirements (including official test scores) must be met by May 31 of senior year regardless of rolling-admission application timing
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 UL Lafayette
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Louisiana at Lafayette'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.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UL Lafayette. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UL Lafayette Without SAT or ACT?
UL Lafayette considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Average SAT Score: 1219
Admitted students at University of Louisiana at Lafayette average a 1219 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1219 — Slightly Competitive
A 1219 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1255 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Louisiana at Lafayette allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1120? A retake is worth it at UL Lafayette. 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 | 585 | 560 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 603 | 560 | 645 |
| SAT Composite | 1219 | 1120 | 1255 |
A score under 1120 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1255+ 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 1200
Can I get into University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in UL Lafayette'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.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) ACT Requirements
UL Lafayette's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 26 |
| ACT English | 27 | 23 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 23 | 27 |
Can I get into University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of UL Lafayette'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, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UL Lafayette takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Run both admission thresholds (test score OR unweighted GPA) - UL Lafayette accepts either independently
UL Lafayette's freshman admission criteria allow a student to qualify via either an 18 ACT English/500 SAT EBRW/250 Accuplacer Writing OR a 3.0 unweighted overall GPA for the English-side requirement, and similarly either a 19 ACT Math/510 SAT Math/250 Accuplacer QAS OR a 3.0 GPA for the math-side requirement - meaning a student can mix and match (qualifying on GPA for one subject area and test score for another) rather than needing to clear a single combined bar. A family should check both subject-area requirements independently rather than assuming one low test subscore disqualifies the whole application.
If the student graduated from a Louisiana high school, confirm Core 4 curriculum completion specifically - it's an added layer beyond the general freshman criteria
Louisiana high school graduates applying as freshmen must meet all general freshman requirements PLUS complete the Louisiana Board of Regents Core 4 Curriculum (19 specific units) - a state-specific curriculum requirement that doesn't apply to out-of-state or homeschooled applicants, who instead follow a separate track. A Louisiana-resident family should verify Core 4 completion on the transcript explicitly, since meeting the GPA/test threshold alone isn't sufficient for in-state graduates if the specific Core 4 courses are missing.
Submit official test scores even though they aren't strictly required - they determine the final admission decision and academic scholarship eligibility
UL Lafayette doesn't require an essay or letters of recommendation, and lists test scores as not strictly required for admission consideration - but the university's own application materials state that official SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to finalize an admission decision and to be considered for academic scholarships. A student with a strong self-reported GPA shouldn't skip sending official scores if scholarship money matters, since the "not required" framing applies to the initial review, not to the final scholarship-eligible decision.
Apply early even though admission is rolling - automatic scholarship consideration has its own hard cutoff
UL Lafayette automatically considers every applicant for university scholarships at the time of application, but the student must meet all scholarship requirements by May 31 of senior year regardless of when they applied - meaning a student who applies in the fall but doesn't finalize required materials (official scores, immunization records, etc.) by May 31 can lose scholarship eligibility even though admission itself remains open under the rolling policy.
Expert Insight:
Acceptance-rate figures for UL Lafayette vary substantially across sources (cited from the high-60s to the low-90s depending on methodology and year), so a family should not anchor planning decisions to any single percentage. The more reliable planning tool is the university's own dual-track GPA/test-score criteria and the Louisiana-resident-specific Core 4 curriculum requirement, both of which are concrete and independently verifiable on a transcript.
UL Lafayette Profile
Full Name
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette)
City
Lafayette
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70503
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UL Lafayette Degree Worth It?
At $24,631/year against a $47,089 median graduate salary, UL Lafayette is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $47,100, and graduates see a 4.34% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UL Lafayette Cost?
Listed tuition runs $24,631/year at UL Lafayette. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $14,118.
At UL Lafayette, 38.8% receive a Pell Grant and 43.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UL Lafayette on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UL Lafayette Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UL Lafayette graduates report a median income of $47,089, about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Louisiana at Lafayette. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Louisiana at Lafayette. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Louisiana at Lafayette. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at UL Lafayette
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UL Lafayette Admissions
University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,089/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of Louisiana at Lafayette is relatively affordable, around $24,631/year.
38.8% of University of Louisiana at Lafayette students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette's acceptance rate is 88.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 3.4, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.1 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3 or below makes admission tougher at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1219, and within the 1120–1255 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette's deadline is December 15. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette charges an application fee of 25; 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette'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.
Explore Other Options
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