POPULATION (2021): 4.6 Million
CAPITAL: Baton Rouge
LARGEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN LOUISIANA: Louisiana State University
LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN LOUISIANA: Tulane University
Most people know about Louisiana because of New Orleans and the influence it has across the country, especially with music, food, and their annual Mardi Gras bash which countless cities try to mimic, though few get close.
In addition to the big city, however, there is a big, beautiful state with a lot of waterways and forested areas for the explorers to enjoy. It also has a pretty decent amount of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico, which many students like to escape to for spring break, or even just a relaxing weekend after some tough exams.
Louisiana State (LSU) is the flagship university in Louisiana, located in the capital of Baton Rouge, but several other colleges are peppered throughout the state, many of which are in or around New Orleans, and all the fun that city has to offer young people (and everyone else, for that matter).
Universities in Louisiana – 4-Year Colleges and Online
Both private and public universities are in steady supply in Louisiana, and many students from elsewhere in the country travel to the state for education. Mild weather year-round tends to attract students, too! Here is a look at the colleges and universities in Louisiana that offer 4-year degrees.
Public Universities in Louisiana
Louisiana has 3 state college systems: Louisiana State University System, Southern University System, and the University of Louisiana system, all with multiple campuses. Louisiana State at Baton Rouge is the largest, with more than 30,000 students, but not all students may be looking for the big-time college experience, and lucky for them there are several other options for a degree from a public university in Louisiana. Here is a list of the 3 systems and the universities within each.
Louisiana State University System
- Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge
- Louisiana State University at Eunice† – Eunice
- Louisiana State University of Alexandria – Alexandria
- Louisiana State University Shreveport – Shreveport
- LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans – New Orleans
- LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport – Shreveport
- Paul M. Hebert Law Center – Baton Rouge
Southern University System
- Southern University – Baton Rouge
- Southern University at New Orleans – New Orleans
- Southern University at Shreveport† – Shreveport
- Southern University Law Center – Baton Rouge
University of Louisiana System
- Grambling State University – Grambling
- Louisiana Tech University – Ruston
- McNeese State University – Lake Charles
- Nicholls State University – Thibodaux
- Northwestern State University – Natchitoches
- Southeastern Louisiana University – Hammond
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Lafayette
- University of Louisiana at Monroe – Monroe
- University of New Orleans – New Orleans
Private Universities in Louisiana
With the public university system serving most of the state, the list of private universities in Louisiana is a bit shorter, with most of the colleges and universities in or around New Orleans or Baton Rouge, however, Louisiana Christian University is located in Pineville, and the Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport.
A list of the Baton Rouge and New Orleans private universities is located a few sections below in the city overviews.
Community Colleges in Louisiana
Much like the state university system, Louisiana is dedicated to providing its residents with affordable options for education, including certificate programs and associate’s degrees like the ones offered at their tech and community colleges. Here are all of the schools in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System:
- Baton Rouge Community College – Baton Rouge
- Bossier Parish Community College – Bossier City
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College – Alexandria
- Delgado Community College – New Orleans
- L. E. Fletcher Technical Community College – Schriever
- Louisiana Delta Community College – Monroe
- Northshore Technical Community College – Lacombe
- Elaine P. Nunez Community College – Chalmette
- River Parishes Community College – Gonzales
- South Louisiana Community College-Lafayette
- SOWELA Technical Community College – Lake Charles
Prominent Online Colleges in Louisiana
Like most state school systems, the Louisiana public universities upped their online offerings during COVID, and all offer some kind of hybrid education if not fully online degree programs. As reported on by the students themselves, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, and Louisiana State University have great, easy-to-follow online programs.
Universities in Baton Rouge, LA
Most capital cities have a solid selection of universities and colleges, and Baton Rouge is no exception! Louisiana’s flagship university, LSU, has its main campus in Baton Rouge, as does Southern University, another public system in the state.
Private universities in Baton Rouge include the Delta College of Arts & Technology and the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.
Universities in New Orleans, LA
If you like a laid-back atmosphere and a lot of quiet time, New Orleans probably isn’t the place for you to go to college. For the fast-paced, city-life-loving folks, however, there really isn’t a city in America quite like New Orleans. The food is unique, the music is everywhere, the people are kind, and they like to have themselves a good time.
In addition to the public colleges (the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans), 5 private universities call New Orleans home:
- Tulane University
- Dillard University
- Loyola New Orleans
- University of Holy Cross
- Xavier University of New Orleans
Get to Know Louisiana
Southern hospitality, anyone? Louisiana is one of the most welcoming states in the country, and not just in the cities. The small towns have a family feel, and if you happen to attend college in one of the smaller cities, you’ll almost certainly be adopted as a member of the community with little effort on your part.
For fun, New Orleans also likes to gather in groups, sometimes quite large as proven by Mardi Gras. Cookouts are commonplace, and you better bring an appetite! Louisiana cuisine is headlined by cajun influence, which likes a lot of spice and might leave you wanting to jump into the Gulf of Mexico at one of Louisiana’s beach destinations like Grand Isle and Holly Beach.
With quality education, good weather, good food, good people, and a lot of fun to be had, Louisiana is a great place for college.