The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) was founded in 1898 and is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA . It is the second-largest public university in the University of Louisiana System, with an enrollment of over 19,000 students, making it the second-largest university in Louisiana. The university spans 1,300 acres, with the main campus covering 145 acres and comprising 274 buildings. It has been designated a “Very High Research Activity” institution by the Carnegie Foundation and ranks among the top ten universities in the United States for research funding primarily derived from private corporate investments and donations. The Value of an American University Diploma
Top Programs and Petroleum Engineering Highlights
The university’s top programs include Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, Nursing, Business Administration, and Biology. The Petroleum Engineering program is ranked 20th in the U.S., and the graduate employment rate is outstanding. Computer Science is ranked 104th in the U.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is ranked 107th, and the online master’s program is ranked 25th. The Ray P. Authement School of Business encourages entrepreneurship, and the rate of student startups after graduation exceeds the national average.
Overview of Core Schools and Popular Programs
| School Name | Representative Programs |
|---|---|
| School of Engineering | Petroleum Engineering (Top 20 in the U.S.), Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering |
| School of Business | Business Administration (AACSB Accredited), Accounting, Marketing, Risk Management and Insurance, Business Intelligence and Analytics |
| School of Nursing and Health Sciences | Nursing (BSN, with extensive clinical practice), Health Information Management |
| School of Computer and Information Sciences | Computer Science (Cybersecurity and AI tracks), Information Technology, Information Systems |
| College of Arts and Sciences | Biology (Ecology, Marine Biology, Pre-Med), Psychology, Communication, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Sociology |
| College of Humanities and Arts | Music (Music Education, Performance), Graphic Design, Film Studies, English, Modern Languages |
| College of Education | Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education |
Data sources: Research.com rankings, Niche, College Consensus, and official university course catalogs
Unique Campus Culture: The Only University in the U.S. with an On-Campus Wetland
ULL isthe only university in the U.S. with an on-campus constructed wetland—Cypress Lake on the main campus is an excellent spot for faculty and students to observe native Louisiana waterfowl and alligators on a daily basis, making the campus a “living botanical garden.”
The Hilliard Museum of Art on campus regularly hosts exhibitions of Louisiana-based art, offering art enthusiasts a rich cultural experience. Lafayette is one of the “most vibrant college towns” in the heart of the Acadian region of southern Louisiana, hosting 40 to 50 music and food festivals, Cajun and Creole cultural events each year.
Admission Requirements and Tuition Benefits
ULL has an admission rate of approximately 60%–94% for international students and is known for being welcoming to international applicants. For undergraduate admission, applicants must have a high school transcript with a minimum GPA of 2.5, an IELTS score of 6.5, or a TOEFL score of 70. The application deadline for fall admission is May 15 (or June 30, according to some sources), and for spring admission, it is October 1 (or November 15, according to some sources). Please refer to the university’s official website for the latest information. Annual tuition averages $24,110, with total tuition for four years coming in under $100,000—significantly lower than the average tuition at four-year institutions.
