Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University: Academics, Admissions & Tuition Info

Learn what degree programs Louisiana Tech University offers. Research its academics, and read about its admission and financial aid info to make an informed education decision.

About Louisiana Tech University in Ruston

Louisiana Tech University was first established in 1894 when the General Assembly of Louisiana voted to create the University at Ruston. The university first opened its doors in 1865 with just 200 students and six teachers on a 20-acre campus. Louisiana Tech is the scholastic home to over 11,500 students each year via it's 255-acre main campus.

Louisiana Tech University (Tech) was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a Tier One National University for 2013 and was recently named by the Economic Development Administration as one of only 13 awardees in the U.S. for its I-20 Corridor Regional Accelerator proposal. The monetary award will be used to generate growth and job creation opportunities in the region. Tech also has been named by the Carnegie Foundation as one of only 100 universities in the nation that have been classified as a Research University.

Academics

Louisiana Tech University offers about 59 undergraduate programs and roughly 41 graduate degree options through its five academic colleges. At the undergraduate level, students may choose among a variety of degree options ranging from aviation management and biology to medical engineering and psychology. Additional learning opportunities include ROTC (Air Force), teacher certification and distance learning options.

The school offers students a wide range of study-abroad options, including the opportunity to study in Berlin, Costa Rica, London and Paris. Study abroad courses focus on a range of topics such as architecture and history, foreign language, theatre and art. Summer Study Abroad scholarships are available on an annual basis as well.

Admissions

Over 11,500 students attended Louisiana Tech University as of 2012. Prospective freshmen seeking admission are required to submit all transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to the university. The school recommends completion of a college-preparatory program, and the application fee was $20 as of 2012. Applications may be submitted online.

All applicants are required to have either a grade point average of at least 2.50 or a composite ACT score of 23 or 1050 SAT score (critical reading and math). Additional criteria must be met for in-state residents, out-of-state residents and homeschooled applicants as well.

About 5,200 individuals applied to Tech in the fall of 2011. Of those who applied, roughly 62% were admitted. The undergraduate class was comprised of 52% males and 48% females, while 83% of all undergraduates were 24 years of age or younger during the same period. Around 74% of undergraduate students attended the university full-time as of fall 2011. The two largest racial/ethnic backgrounds of students were Caucaian (66%) and African American (14%).

Tuition & Financial Aid

Undergraduate Tech students residing in Louisiana paid an average of $5,896 for tuition and fees in 2011-2012, while non-residents paid $13,021 during the same period. Books and supplies were not included in these tuition figures and were estimated to cost about $1,800. Housing is available at ten different residential facilities, and the estimated cost for room and board during the 2011-2012 school year was $5,265.

Scholarship opportunities available to students include academic scholarships, grant-in-aid and service awards, Air Force ROTC program and the Bulldog Out-of-State Scholarship program. Private, TOPS and departmental scholarships are available as well. Incoming freshmen should check with the school to learn more about scholarship deadlines and other requirements that may need to be met in order to receive consideration for these awards.

LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS
School Type	Public, 4-year**
Degrees Offered	Associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees; post-baccalaureate certificates**
Religious Affiliation	None**
Academic Calendar	Quarters*
School Setting	Town, distant**
Student Body	9,109 undergraduates and 2,409 graduates in 2011**
Student Housing	Available; ten individual residential facilities*
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	Five academic colleges offering around 124 academic programs*
Student-Faculty Ratio	21 to 1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2010-2011: Bachelor's: General studies (128) Master's: Engineering, general (77) Doctorate: Dietetics, dietitian (16)**
Undergraduate Graduation Rates for 2003 cohort	26% in four years 46% in six years 49% in eight years**
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	62% in Fall 2011**
Entering Class Size	1,634 in Fall 2011**
First-Year Retention Rates	About 74% (full-time students) 12% (part-time students) in 2010-2011**
Average ACT Score of Admitted Students	23.8 average composite as of 2012*
Undergraduate Application Due Date	September 1*
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition	Undergraduate tuition and fees for 2011-2012 were roughly $5,896 for in-state residents and $13,021 for non-residents (excludes room and board, books, course materials, personal expenses and transportation)**
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percentage of Students Receiving It)	In 2010-2011: Federal grant aid (37%), state/local grant aid (78%), institutional grant aid (58%), loans (41%)**
Percentage of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	95% in 2010-2011**

Sources: *Louisiana Tech University; **IPEDS Data Center, National Center for Education Statistics

School Contact Information

Address: Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 3178, Ruston, LA 71272
Phone: (800) 528-3241
Website: www.latech.edu