Best Colleges In Louisiana

Overview

Loyola University New Orleans was founded in 1912 by the Jesuits. Today it is located on 24 acres on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans – 15 minutes from the French quarter. It is named after Saint Ignatius of Loyola. There are 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States. Loyola University – New Orleans is one of the largest in the southern United States.

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Loyola University – New Orleans supports over 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students’ academic careers. Undergraduates can study over 60 degrees and continue their education in various graduate programs that includes law. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The average size class is 24 students. Outside the classroom, students have access to 130 student organizations, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics. Top programs include:

• Psychology
• Music Management
• Criminology
• Creative Writing

Notables

Although it is a Jesuit institution, it is open to all faiths. Loyola University encourages students to join or at least attend student organization functions from Muslim Student Association to Anime Club or get involved in local a community service organization such as Community in Action or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. For students that wish to study abroad, the Jesuit community has over 50 Study Abroad opportunities in the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, U.K., and more.

Overview

McNeese State University was founded in 1939 in Lake Charles, Louisiana as a junior college connected to Louisiana State University. The institution is named after John McNeese, the first superintendent of schools in Imperial Calcasieu Parish and renowned Louisiana educator. In 1950 McNeese became a 4-year institution. In 1970, it became a university. Today, the university is on a 121-acre main campus with other properties such as the 499-acre McNeese Farm, 65-acre athletic complex and nearly 1,600-acres of other donated areas for various learning and research opportunities.

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McNeese State University has 7,465 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, students have 45% of their classes with less than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 20 to 1. Most students live off campus. However, there is a residential opportunity for students who wish to stay on campus. McNeese athletic teams play in the NCAA Division I level. Top programs include:

• General Studies
• Nursing
• Engineering
• Business
• Kinesiology & Exercise Science.

Notables

Lake Charles is home to over 75,000 residents. Many of these residents work in businesses that directly or indirectly support McNeese State University. McNeese is a member of the University of Louisiana System and provides the area with continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities.

Overview

Northwestern State University was founded in 1884 to prepare teachers to teach in the port city of Natchitoches, Louisiana. By 1921, it became a 4-year educational institution. By 1970, the name changed again to become Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Today, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is the oldest occupied site for higher education in Louisiana with satellite campuses in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Fort Folk. The main campus in Natchitoches, or Normal Hill, has 916 acres. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.

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Between the various sites of educational learning, Northwestern State University serves over 5,000 students pursuing 50 undergraduate degree programs. Another 4,000 students pursue graduate degrees. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 20 to 1. The average class has about 26 students. Top programs include:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Business
• Biology
• Criminal Justice

Notables

Northwestern State University has had a long, prosperous relationship with NASA. Their students helped analyze data and conducted research for the 1996 Space Shuttle Columbia mission. They are one of the six initiates into the NASA Joint Venture Program called JOVE. The love of data and math continue with a residential high school program for the next generation of scientists.

Overview

Southern University and A&M College (often referred to as Southern University, SUBR or SU) was founded in 1879 by African-American political leaders P.B.S. Pinchback, Theophile T. Allain and Henry Demas. Today it is a historically black university (HBCU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Southern University and A&M College has a main campus of 512 acres, with an agricultural experimental station on 372 acres.

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Today, Southern University and A&M College trains over 5,438 undergraduates in over 50 degrees. Inside the classroom most classes have over 20 students. However, the student-faculty ratio is 16 ot 1. The top majors are:

• Health Professions
• Business
• Homeland Security
• Engineering
• Psychology

Notables

Southern University and A&M College is the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Louisiana. They are a member Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the flagship institution of the Southern University System. They are a 1890 land-grant institution whose goal is to provide high-quality, global educational opportunities for student to participate in scholarly, research and creative opportunities. Their students and graduates give back to the community on a regular basis as competent, informational and productive citizens.

Overview

University of Louisiana at Monroe was founded in 1931 as a junior college. Since then it has grown into a university and granted its first doctoral degree in 1969. By 1999, the name changed again to what it is known for today. Today, it is known to be the largest university in northern Louisiana in terms of enrollment and state appropriations. The main campus has over 300-acres.

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The University of Louisiana at Monroe support over 7,500 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom over 70 percent of classes have more than 20 students. The student faculty ratio is 19 to 1. Outside the classroom students can find all sorts of places to study, join student groups and attend an NCAA Division I game. Top Majors include:

• Pharmacy
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Business

Notables

Monroe, Louisiana is the 8th largest town in Louisiana with just under 50,000 residents living inside the city limits. There is plenty to see in the area. You can learn how Coca-Cola was originally created and walk through the museums. Or you can take the nature route and visit the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. For the history person, there is plenty of local attractions surrounding early Americana history.

Overview

Louisiana State University in Shreveport was founded in 1967 to provide local educational opportunities. Since then the university has become a pivotal force in upgrading the Shreveport-Bossier area of Louisiana. LSUS is always looking for ways to innovate on their 200-acre campus. They have started an 8-week semester system so students can graduate faster. Another innovation is installing professional grade servers, digital media classrooms and 3D printer for students to get the best education in their respective fields.

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Today, Louisiana State University – Shreveport supports over 2,587 undergraduate students pursuing over 20 degree programs and encouraging them to pursue graduate studies as well. In the classrooms students have a 50-50 chance of having a class with less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, students can join over 70 clubs and attend NAIA athletic conference games. The Student-faculty ratio is 21 to 1. Top majors include:

• Business
• Humanities
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences
• Health Professions
• Education

Notables

Shreveport, Louisiana is located where Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas meet. This town of 300,000 residents has a mix of great small town fame and metropolitan culture. There is plenty to do in terms of culture, outdoor activities and shopping. If you are looking for additional adventures, you can always drive about three hours over to Dallas, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas and Jackson, Mississippi.

Overview

Nicholls State University was founded in 1948 as a junior college to support the World War II veterans in the area. By 1956, Nicholls was able to develop its own bachelor-level programs. In 1970, the name changed to Nicholls State University. Nicholls is named after Francis Redding Tillou Nicholls, a two-term Louisiana governor and Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice. Today, Nicholls State University is located on 287 acres in Thibodaux, Louisiana in the Acadiana region near the Mississippi River Delta. It is 50 miles south west of New Orleans and 60 miles south east of Baton Rouge.

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Nicholls State University serves nearly 5,500 undergraduates in their rural campus. Inside the classroom nearly 60% of the classes have more than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. Outside the class room, students can attend a NCAA Division I game or enjoy the local Mississippi River Delta area. Top majors include:

• Business
• Health Professions
• Education
• Personal & Culinary Services
• Interdisciplinary Studies

Notables

As mentioned earlier, Francis Redding Tillou Nicholls was a two-term Louisiana governor and Louisiana Supreme Court chief justice. During the Civil War he was a Brigadier General who was wounded in action who ended up loosing his left arm and foot. Durign the course of the war, he was also a prisoner of war. Despite the loss of limbs, he became a two-time governor who took on and won against the corrupt Louisiana Lottery Company and instill renewed vigor in launching Louisiana into the next century.

Overview

Grambling State University was founded in 1901 by the North Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association to be a Colored Industrial and Agricultural School. It began as a junior college. By 1974, it became a university. It is named after P.G. Grambling, a white sawmill owner who donated the initial land for the school to be constructed. Since then, this historically black university has been pushing the boundaries to create an innovative curriculum for students to succeed in life beyond college. The university is in Grambling, Louisiana on 590 acres.

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Grambling State University supports over 3,500 undergraduate students that pursue over 47 different programs. 40% of the students live on campus. In the classroom, over 50% of the classes have more than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 20 to 1. Outside the classroom, students have student life groups to join and NCAA Division I sports to watch. Top majors at Grambling State include:

• Criminal Justice
• Engineering
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Business

Notables

Grambling State University wants to continue their history as a HBCU institution, member of the University of Louisiana System and a Thurgood Marshall College Fund. That is why they are focused on intertwining the strengths of both a small college and a major university to give their students the capability to become the best they can be and be sought by global employers, top-tier graduate and professional schools. That is why their motto is “Where Everybody is Somebody”.

Overview

Louisiana college was founded in 1906 by the Edwin O. Ware, Sr. and Louisiana Baptist Convention. They were so adamant to get started that they started their classes in tents! Today, it is the only Baptist, 4-year institution in Louisiana. It is in Pineville, Louisiana, near the heart of Louisiana. It has 81 acres and plenty of modern and historic buildings to support their student body.

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Louisiana College encourages 1,300 undergraduates to continue pursuing their program of study. There are over 70 different majors to choose from at this college. In the classroom, over 70% of the classes have less than 20 students and the student-faculty is 11 to 1. Outside the classroom, students can join student groups, volunteer or watch a NCAA Division III athletic gam. Top programs include:

• Health Professions
• Education
• Business
• Theology
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Notables

Louisiana College makes a point to make sure the students are ready for their post-graduate live. This means making sure that nursing and education completers pass their exams and find employment. For students who want to join medical school, their average MCAT score (entrance test for medical score) is 31.8. The Louisiana state average is 28.

Overview

Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims who knew the area needed not just high school education but formal post-high school options for local residents. It started as a junior college in the high school building. It moved to north Hammond in 1928. By 1970, it achieved university status. Today, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution on a 365-acre rural campus in Hammond, Louisiana.

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Today, Southeastern Louisiana supports over 15,600 students pursue over 60 degree programs. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 21 to 1. Over 33% of the classes have less than 20 students. It is largely a commuter institution. Top majors include:

• Business
• Health Professions
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Education
• Psychology

Notables

Hammond, Louisiana is about 45 miles east of Baton Rouge where interstate 55 and 12 meet. It is a small town with less than 25,000 people but it has many fine restaurants, shopping centers and plenty to explore in local parks. But if you are truly brave, you can visit the Kliebert Turtle and Alligator Farm.