New Year, New Programs, Record Class: LSU Raises the Bar
August 28, 2025
A new academic year means new beginnings, and this fall, LSU is opening its doors to one of the most accomplished and dynamic incoming classes in university history.
Freshmen spell out LSU on the field at Tiger Stadium during Welcome Week.
– Katherine Seghers
“LSU is charging forward, and this record-setting class is leading the way. These students chose LSU because they see a university that is winning on all fronts. We are expanding our research enterprise, launching new degree programs, and investing in facilities that will shape their future,” said Interim LSU President Matt Lee.
“From academics to infrastructure, LSU is building the foundation for excellence. We are not just growing in size; we are growing in impact. We are setting a higher bar for how public higher education can serve Louisiana and drive real progress.”
This fall marks LSU’s largest incoming class ever, underscoring the university’s increasing draw for students from across Louisiana and all 50 states.
Academic achievement is a hallmark of this year’s cohort. LSU’s Ogden Honors College welcomed its largest group of students to date, signaling a growing commitment to rigorous scholarship, interdisciplinary learning, and high-impact research.
The class of 2029
KEY STATS
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The largest overall class in LSU history
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The largest enrollment of Louisiana residents
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Louisiana residents make up 61.4% of class
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The largest enrollment of non-residents
YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASES
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Average GPA and ACT scores
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Incoming students with a 30+ ACT or equivalent SAT
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Students who were in the top 10% of their class
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Number of valedictorians
- Largest number of students in the Ogden Honors College.
“LSU is recruiting the very best students from Louisiana while also attracting top academic talent from across the country,” said Interim Executive Vice President & Provost Troy Blanchard. “Students are choosing LSU because they find the mentorship, research opportunities, and academic challenge that define a top-tier university experience within the flagship that is shaping the future of our state and beyond.”
This growth in participation underscores the value placed on the Honors College as a distinctive academic home within LSU, one that cultivates both scholarly excellence and service-oriented leadership that strengthens communities in Louisiana and beyond.
8,153
Total first-time freshmen, 3.8% increase over Fall 2024.
- Numbers based on current deposited students
3.85
Average GPA of first-time freshmen, 0.5% increase over Fall 2024
27.3
Average ACT Equivalent, 0.7% increase over Fall 2024
- Includes SAT Equivalents, only counting test-inclusive applicants
458
Number of valedictorians, 23.5% increase over Fall 2024
- Includes 90 more LA valedictorians, based on rank in BoR system
A New Era for Nursing in Baton Rouge
LSU launched a new instructional site on its Baton Rouge campus through a collaboration with LSU Health New Orleans’ School of Nursing and its nationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Consistently ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the nation, the program has a strong reputation for producing graduates who serve as health care leaders across Louisiana and beyond. This new Baton Rouge site is a direct result of visionary leadership and coordinated resources between LSU’s campuses, showcasing how the university system works together to meet the state’s most urgent needs.
The program not only expands access to one of Louisiana’s most critical professions but also represents a bold step in addressing the state’s nursing shortage. By providing cutting-edge training in the capital city, LSU is investing directly in Louisiana’s future workforce and improving health outcomes statewide. This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration across LSU campuses to deliver innovative solutions for Louisiana.
Building Spaces That Inspire Innovation
With support from donors and the State of Louisiana, LSU is investing in the future with transformative projects that will reshape the heart of campus and enhance the student experience for generations to come. Each new space will provide world-class resources for learning, discovery, and community engagement—ensuring that students, faculty, and the broader Baton Rouge community have the tools they need to thrive.
Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building. With anticipated completion in early 2026, the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building will be a nearly 200,000-square-foot, four-story epicenter for academics, research, and industry collaboration able to accommodate as many as 1,150 students, faculty, and researchers at a time. The facility is located at the corner of South Stadium Drive and Tower Drive.
New Residence Halls. To accommodate growing enrollment, LSU is constructing new residence halls on the south side of campus, near the E. J. Ourso College of Business. The project will add over 1,200 beds, and construction is scheduled to begin in October, with an anticipated opening by the fall of 2027. Students who live on campus are more likely to participate in academic activities than their off-campus peers, which in turn strengthens retention, deepens academic engagement, and fosters a stronger sense of belonging within the university community.
Library & Learning Commons. With construction set to begin in 2026 and completion expected by 2028, the 193,000-square-foot Library & Learning Commons will be located at the corner of South Stadium Drive and Field House Drive. This state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance the student experience at LSU but also serve as a vital resource for the Baton Rouge community and the state of Louisiana for generations to come. The project will be funded through a blend of state and donor investments, with approximately $12 million contributed by donors to date.
Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building. In October, LSU announced plans for a $107 million, 148,000-square-foot Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building to support its nationally recognized construction management program and growing advanced manufacturing programs. LSU’s construction management program is vital to Louisiana, where the construction industry is projected to grow 14.3% by 2030, and to the Gulf Coast, which has a construction backlog estimated between $60 billion to $80 billion. Nearly 70% of LSU construction management graduates remain in-state after graduation, and 75% of spring 2024 graduates are now working in the commercial or industrial sectors of the industry. This project will also be funded through a blend of state and donor investments, with donor contributions nearing $42 million.
Campus Energy Modernization Project. LSU has partnered with CenTrio Energy in a 30-year public-private partnership to modernize campus energy infrastructure to improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The partnership includes a substantial investment to upgrade utility systems, including steam, chilled water, and electrical infrastructure. These upgrades improve the reliability of campus heating and cooling, utilize cutting-edge technology that will significantly reduce energy and water consumption.
University Lakes Restoration Project. The University Lakes Restoration Project is a collaborative effort between LSU, the City of Baton Rouge, and state and local partners. It is creating a more sustainable aquatic system, improving flood protection, and creating more recreational opportunities through dredging, shoreline restoration, and improved stormwater management. Construction is expected to continue through the end of 2026.
Shaping LSU’s Next Chapter
As the fall semester begins, LSU is proud to welcome this record-setting class of Tigers—a group that will shape the university’s future, strengthen its academic reputation, and contribute to the success of our teams on the field, in the lab, and in the community.
“LSU is on a trajectory of excellence,” said Blanchard. “By recruiting outstanding students, supporting exceptional faculty, advancing cutting-edge research, and investing in state-of-the-art facilities, we continue to build the momentum that will secure LSU’s place among the nation’s top public research universities.”
(Editor's Note: Enrollment information and numbers in this story are based on projections as of Aug. 27. Final numbers will be updated after the census date on Sept. 12.)
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