LSU-A&M vs Auburn

Louisiana State University (LSU) and Auburn University are two prominent public universities in the Southeastern United States, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence, vibrant student life, and rich traditions. While both institutions share similarities, they also have distinct characteristics that set them apart. LSU, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. LSU is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, business, and agriculture, while Auburn excels in engineering, business, and veterinary medicine. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including their acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	Auburn University	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Overview
Location	Auburn, Alabama	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.2%	70.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	1130 - 1320
ACT range	N/A	23 - 29
Students submitting SAT score		12.0%
Students submitting ACT score		88.0%
Total number of applicants	27,619	36,561
Total number of admissions given out	19,660	25,907
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,311	7,045
Yield rate	27.0%	27.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $33,650 Out of state: $53,810	In state: $35,810 Out of state: $52,487
Average net price	$23,873	$21,010
Tuition	In state: $10,080 Out of state: $30,240	$8,038
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,892 Meal plan: $5,704	Room/dormitory: $8,720 Meal plan: $4,434
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	69.0% Average amount $10,448	93.0% Average amount $13,235
Students receiving federal student loan	27.0% Average amount $5,232	29.0% Average amount $5,433
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $24,894	4.0% Average amount $19,954

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,931 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%	29,273 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	6,595 Men 46.7% Women 53.3%	6,639 Men 39.7% Women 60.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	43.6%	32.6%
International students	7.0%	4.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	4,823	8,657
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Alabama Georgia Florida Tennessee Texas	Louisiana Texas Georgia Florida California

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Education Health Professions Business Agriculture	Business Engineering Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	22:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.9%	69.0%
Dropout rate	4.4%	29.0%
Transferred out	13.0%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $109,330 Year 2: $119,954 Year 3: $122,981 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,330 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $119,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,962 Year 2: $93,520 Year 3: $96,107 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,045 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $94,852 Architectural Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,488 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $86,080 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,285 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $83,134 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,127 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $77,684 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,274 Year 2: $65,753 Year 3: $75,817 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,558 Year 2: $65,170 Year 3: $75,401 Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $74,364	Veterinary Medicine (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,490 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,967 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,305 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $87,944 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,811 Year 2: $71,402 Year 3: $83,027 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,560 Year 2: $60,099 Year 3: $80,274 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,032 Year 2: $68,965 Year 3: $79,563 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,541 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $77,603 International Business (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,643 Year 2: $43,575 Year 3: $69,597 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,301 Year 2: $61,330 Year 3: $68,763 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $53,429 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $67,944 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,915 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $65,757

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between LSU and Auburn University?

LSU, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a large public university known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and mass communication. Auburn University, situated in Auburn, Alabama, excels in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. LSU has a more urban setting, while Auburn offers a more traditional college town experience. LSU is known for its vibrant tailgating culture and SEC football tradition, while Auburn shares a similar passion for football and a strong sense of community.
How do LSU and Auburn compare in terms of academic reputation?

Both LSU and Auburn are reputable public universities. Auburn is generally considered slightly more selective and may have a marginally higher overall academic ranking. However, both institutions offer a wide range of strong academic programs and research opportunities. The best choice depends on your specific academic interests and career goals.
Which university, LSU or Auburn, is more affordable?

Generally, LSU is more affordable for Louisiana residents due to lower in-state tuition rates. However, for out-of-state students, the cost difference between LSU and Auburn may be less significant. It's crucial to compare the total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses, as well as available financial aid and scholarships at both universities.
What is the campus environment like at LSU versus Auburn?

LSU's campus is located in a more urban environment in Baton Rouge, offering access to city amenities and cultural attractions. Auburn's campus is in a classic college town, providing a more focused and traditional campus experience. LSU's campus is known for its beautiful architecture and landscaping, while Auburn's campus boasts a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
How do LSU and Auburn compare in terms of student life and extracurricular activities?

Both LSU and Auburn offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. LSU is known for its vibrant Greek life and strong school spirit, particularly surrounding its athletic programs. Auburn also has a strong Greek system and a passionate student body. Both universities provide ample opportunities for students to get involved and build community.
Which university has a stronger focus on research, LSU or Auburn?

Both LSU and Auburn are research universities with significant research activity across various disciplines. Auburn has a particularly strong reputation in engineering and agricultural research, while LSU has notable research programs in coastal studies, energy, and biomedicine. The best choice depends on your specific research interests.
What are the admission requirements like for LSU and Auburn?

Admission requirements for both LSU and Auburn typically include a strong high school GPA, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and a well-rounded application. Auburn is generally considered slightly more selective, so a higher GPA and test scores may be required for admission. It's essential to check the specific admission requirements for each university on their respective websites.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare between LSU and Auburn?

Both LSU and Auburn offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career development. Job placement rates vary depending on the specific program and industry. It's recommended to research the career outcomes for your specific major at both universities to make an informed decision.
What are some popular majors at LSU and Auburn?

Popular majors at LSU include engineering, business administration, mass communication, and biological sciences. At Auburn, popular majors include engineering, business, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from.
How does the alumni network compare between LSU and Auburn?

Both LSU and Auburn have strong and active alumni networks. These networks can provide valuable connections and support for graduates in their career pursuits. The strength of the alumni network may vary depending on the specific industry or geographic location.

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