Louisiana Student Enrollment 1901-2023

[60swerethebest]

We’d see a huge growth in enrollment if we offered reciprocity for Tx, Ms and Ark students.

That’s part of the scholarship package for better students. Don’t know what better means. And it’s not open to all as you suggested. Would make us more competitive.

[60swerethebest]

Louisiana has had record freshmen enrollment the last 5 years.

Seems like it should have started showing up in the overall numbers by now.

Lost a lot of kids during Covid. On line was not kind to many students.

[R1Letterman]

That’s part of the scholarship package for better students. Don’t know what better means. And it’s not open to all as you suggested. Would make us more competitive.

Do the others open it to all, or is it always part of a scholarship package?

[R1Letterman]

I found some really good data on the UL website.

https://getdata.louisiana.edu/data-r...t-ul-lafayette

Retention is an issue that is having a significant impact on our continuing enrollment numbers. Our six-year graduation rate is hovering around 50%. In addition, the most recent data reflects 76% of first-time freshmen make it to their second fall semester and 60% make it to their third fall semester.

Is admissions selecting the wrong people??? Or is our school as an R1 harder than the kids expected

[R1Letterman]

While that has been true in the past, it certainly could be in the future. No one out there “always wanted to go to LSU” for academics. Lots of people “always wanted to go to LSU” because of what happens in Tiger Stadium.

He knows of what he speaks. Not everyone gets to do what they want

[cajun4life]

That’s part of the scholarship package for better students. Don’t know what better means. And it’s not open to all as you suggested. Would make us more competitive.

We would instantly become a more viable option for Houston and Dallas area students. Tuition cost at universities in Texas are quite high. Waiving out of state tuition would be a huge boost to student attendance.

[Turbine]

Does UL wave out of state tuition fees for legacy generational sudents?

[CajunFun]

It peaked with Brian Mitchell.

Peaked again the year following Jake Delhommes run.

Dropped off considerably during Baldwin's tenure.

Peaked again with Jerry Babb and Bustle's bus tour.

Peaked again while Hudspeth was winning.

Napier no effect.

Desormeaux declined overall but not with freshmen.

Are you looking at enrollment, or attendance?

We want to be careful to keep things in context, and look at the big picture. In the past couple of decades:

1. We built a community college system in the region, which pulled down our enrollment.

2. We implemented increasingly higher enrollment standards, which pulled down our enrollment.

3. College tuitions have increased more than an order of magnitude, which pulled down our enrollment.

And yet:

1. Our enrollment is still growing... to the point that we can't handle more freshmen (we had to rent some hotels, remember?)

2. The quality of our students is climbing steadily.

3. Our governmental support is skyrocketing.

4. We made R1.

5. Our research funding is growing faster than almost anyone else in the country, and we are now the research leader among Louisiana public universities (yes, including LSU).

6. Our graduate programs are growing quickly, and we're closing in on SREB Doctoral 1.

7. Our campus, including our athletics facilities, is expanding and improving constantly.

8. Our athletics programs reach the top 25 more and more frequently.

9. And somehow, out of the blue, our conference jumped from the dregs of Division 1, to the top of the midmajors.

There are only 2 public universities in the state that are in a solid financial situation: Louisiana, and LSU.

Again, keep things in context. We have been building this University for over 125 years. And as I have noted before, we have slowly outpaced all the schools that were once our peers, and rivals. We did all of that with vision, hard work, and patience.

And we ain't through, yet.

[60swerethebest]

Does UL wave out of state tuition fees for legacy generational sudents?

Yes. Children of grads. Not grandchildren. Rats for one of my kids. Miss St.
Also UL, like most schools, give active duty folks in state tuition. Miss St gives dependents of any active duty parents in state tuition. We should too.

[LaCajunsFan]

Are you looking at enrollment, or attendance?

We want to be careful to keep things in context, and look at the big picture. In the past couple of decades:

1. We built a community college system in the region, which pulled down our enrollment.

2. We implemented increasingly higher enrollment standards, which pulled down our enrollment.

3. College tuitions have increased more than an order of magnitude, which pulled down our enrollment.

And yet:

1. Our enrollment is still growing... to the point that we can't handle more freshmen (we had to rent some hotels, remember?)

2. The quality of our students is climbing steadily.

3. Our governmental support is skyrocketing.

4. We made R1.

5. Our research funding is growing faster than almost anyone else in the country, and we are now the research leader among Louisiana public universities (yes, including LSU).

6. Our graduate programs are growing quickly, and we're closing in on SREB Doctoral 1.

7. Our campus, including our athletics facilities, is expanding and improving constantly.

8. Our athletics programs reach the top 25 more and more frequently.

9. And somehow, out of the blue, our conference jumped from the dregs of Division 1, to the top of the midmajors.

There are only 2 public universities in the state that are in a solid financial situation: Louisiana, and LSU.

Again, keep things in context. We have been building this University for over 125 years. And as I have noted before, we have slowly outpaced all the schools that were once our peers, and rivals. We did all of that with vision, hard work, and patience.

And we ain't through, yet.

Great points!!!

[RaginCajun77]

Is admissions selecting the wrong people??? Or is our school as an R1 harder than the kids expected

Honestly, I think it comes down to students not being prepared and/or ready for college/college life. You can be a great student in high school, come to college and experience the freedom, nightlife, and studies get derailed. In some cases I think students aren't ready for the pace of college when compared to high school and they struggle.

[CajunFun]

Is admissions selecting the wrong people??? Or is our school as an R1 harder than the kids expected

Don't forget, we are near the top, or at the top, of all US universities for diversity (race, nationality, income, et al.), inclusion, and 1st family members to attend college.

And don't forget that some of our kids work one or more jobs to be able to cover tuition. A number of those students are parents with kids, sometimes single parents.

And then don't forget that we try to maintain our academic standards in the face of declining standards nationally.

Retention will always be a problem if we are trying to do it right, if we are trying to give everyone a chance, but still insisting on excellence. Low retention should only be a problem if we are failing to offer our kids the support they need to pass their classes.

[Turbine]

Are you looking at enrollment, or attendance?

Enrollment left column.

Degree seekers.

I don't think non-degree seeks are ever going to affect attendance

[Boomer]

Are you looking at enrollment, or attendance?

We want to be careful to keep things in context, and look at the big picture. In the past couple of decades:

1. We built a community college system in the region, which pulled down our enrollment.

2. We implemented increasingly higher enrollment standards, which pulled down our enrollment.

3. College tuitions have increased more than an order of magnitude, which pulled down our enrollment.

And yet:

1. Our enrollment is still growing... to the point that we can't handle more freshmen (we had to rent some hotels, remember?)

2. The quality of our students is climbing steadily.

3. Our governmental support is skyrocketing.

4. We made R1.

5. Our research funding is growing faster than almost anyone else in the country, and we are now the research leader among Louisiana public universities (yes, including LSU).

6. Our graduate programs are growing quickly, and we're closing in on SREB Doctoral 1.

7. Our campus, including our athletics facilities, is expanding and improving constantly.

8. Our athletics programs reach the top 25 more and more frequently.

9. And somehow, out of the blue, our conference jumped from the dregs of Division 1, to the top of the midmajors.

There are only 2 public universities in the state that are in a solid financial situation: Louisiana, and LSU.

Again, keep things in context. We have been building this University for over 125 years. And as I have noted before, we have slowly outpaced all the schools that were once our peers, and rivals. We did all of that with vision, hard work, and patience.

And we ain't through, yet.

….Hey Doc Fun …..thought of maybe borrowing a Greenie plan….the neighbors of Tulane’s campus are upset with the “doubles to dorms” happening there…..some say a scheme to get jocks in houses close to campus….Lets buy up all the houses from our main campus to the closest part of the remaining areas…..also a track for our Cajun Tram!!!……btw can somebody put the map of our needed areas of planning?