The best colleges in Louisiana 2021, including Louisiana State University’s flagship campus, are located in Baton Rouge, the state capital. In addition, there is a mix of large research universities, midrange colleges, and tiny liberal arts colleges throughout the state, including Shreveport, Lafayette, and Monroe. While New Orleans, Louisiana’s largest city, is known for music, nightlife, and Mardi Gras, it also serves as a center for higher education.
Nearly ten colleges and universities in New Orleans are listed on University Magazine, including the prestigious Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University.
The Best Colleges in Louisiana 2021
10. University of Holy Cross
In New Orleans, Louisiana, the University of Holy Cross is a private Marianite liberal arts college. The University of Holy Cross admissions process is less stringent, with a 35% acceptance rate. The University of Holy Cross has a sliding application deadline.
9. Southeastern Louisiana University
In Hammond, Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public university. Hammond Junior College was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims. In 1928, Sims successfully relocated the school to north Hammond, and it became known as Southeastern Louisiana College.
8.McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana’s McNeese State University is a public university. It was renamed McNeese Junior College after John McNeese, an early local educator, founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College. In 1970, they chose the current name.
7. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university with main campuses in Natchitoches and Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a component of the Louisiana University System.
6. Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, is a public university. Admission to Nicholls State University is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 88 percent. Half of Nicholls State University’s admitted students had an SAT score of 980 to 1190 or an ACT score of 20 to 25.
5. Xavier University of Louisiana
The Xavier University of Louisiana is a historically black, a private Catholic university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is the first Catholic HBCU, and it was the first Catholic university created by a saint after Katharine Drexel was canonized in 2000.
4. Centenary College
Centenary College of Louisiana is a Shreveport, Louisiana-based private liberal arts college. The United Methodist Church is linked with the college. It is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River, with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accrediting it.
3. Loyola University New Orleans
The private Jesuit university Loyola University New Orleans is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1904 as Loyola College and was authorized as a university in 1912. Admission at Loyola University New Orleans is competitive, with a 75% acceptance rate. An SAT score of 1050 to 1260 or an ACT score of 22 to 28 is required for Loyola University New Orleans admission.
2. Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University, located in Baton Rouge, is a public land-grant research university. Admissions to Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge are more selective, with a 75% acceptance rate. An SAT score of 1080 to 1310 or an ACT score of 23 to 29 is required for admission to Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge.
1. Tulane University
Tulane University is a New Orleans-based private research university. Tulane University admissions are the most selective, with a 13 percent acceptance rate and a 17.3 percent early acceptance rate. Half of Tulane University’s admitted students had an SAT score of 1360 to 1520 or an ACT score of 31 to 33. However, one-fourth of approved applicants received scores that were higher than these ranges,
Read More about the Best Colleges in Louisiana 2021 on University Magazine ranking