Louisiana's second-largest university and R1 research powerhouse with 240+ programs in Lafayette's vibrant Acadiana region.
UL Lafayette offers 240+ majors, minors, and concentrations across multiple colleges, with particular strength in nursing, sciences, engineering, humanities, and architecture. The university holds Louisiana's only Ph.D. in francophone studies, master's in informatics, and industrial design degree. As an R1 research institution, the university integrates real-world research problems into classroom learning, giving students hands-on experience in labs, clinics, and studios. Graduate programs include 45 master's and doctoral offerings, plus 24 online degree and certificate options.
The main campus spans 145 acres in Lafayette's Acadiana region, featuring historic landmarks like the Quadrangle (renovated 2015 with a 15-foot Fleur de Lis fountain), the Arcade (1940), and Cypress Lake—a unique natural ecosystem in the center of campus. The 128,000 sq ft Student Union (completed 2015) wraps around Cypress Lake and includes dining, meeting spaces, and the Bayou Bijou movie theater. University Commons adds 391 acres with athletic facilities and research parks. Student traditions include Lagniappe Day (April canoe races and crawfish boil), Krewe of Roux Mardi Gras parade, and proximity to Festival International de Louisiane and Downtown Alive! concerts.
UL Lafayette ranks among the top 10 U.S. universities for research and development expenditures funded by business (NSF ranking). The university operates multiple research centers including the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise (LITE Center, $27 million facility), National Wetlands Research Center, Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center, and Cade Farm Labs (600 acres). The institution is one of 250 universities worldwide in the National Academy of Inventors and holds R1 Carnegie classification alongside Harvard, Duke, and Princeton.
The university welcomes 450+ international students from 82 countries. Specific tuition and admissions details are available through the official website (louisiana.edu). The institution emphasizes affordability and offers multiple pathways including undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and online admission options.