The راضق×شخ؟تسئµ of راضق×شخ؟تسئµ at Lafayette has enrolled the largest freshman class in its history.
UL Lafayette welcomed 3,214 first-time freshmen this fall, a 4.8% increase over last year. This is the third year in a row that the incoming freshman class has exceeded 3,000 راضق×شخ؟تسئµs, noted Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management. “راضق×شخ؟تسئµs and families are choosing the راضق×شخ؟تسئµ because it offers a combination of excellent academics, a fun and supportive environment, and top-tier research opportunities,†he said.
Members of the Class of 2029 come from 448 high schools and are academically accomplished. They hold a mean cumulative high school GPA of 3.59, a mean core GPA of 3.73, and an ACT Superscore Composite of 25.15 for those admitted using test scores. UL Lafayette saw a 14% increase in freshmen with an ACT Superscore of 28 or higher and a 16% increase in those with a 23 or higher.
“The academic strength of this class is remarkable,†Bowie added. “We are enrolling more راضق×شخ؟تسئµs with high ACT scores, stronger GPAs and greater readiness for college-level work. These راضق×شخ؟تسئµs are prepared to thrive in the rigorous learning environment UL Lafayette offers.â€
Overall enrollment growth
The Fall 2025 census shows a total enrollment of 19,723 راضق×شخ؟تسئµs, a 2.65% increase from last year. Of that figure, 16,100 are degree-seeking راضق×شخ؟تسئµs – 13,828 undergraduates and 2,272 graduate راضق×شخ؟تسئµs – a 2.78% increase over Fall 2024. The راضق×شخ؟تسئµ also enrolled 3,623 non-degree راضق×شخ؟تسئµs in training courses, certifications, and Professional and Continuing Education programs.
Undergraduate enrollment grew by 2.95%, and graduate enrollment increased by 1.75%. Continuing راضق×شخ؟تسئµ enrollment was up 3.5% from last year. Continuing undergraduate راضق×شخ؟تسئµs increased by 2.23%, while continuing graduate راضق×شخ؟تسئµs saw a 10.6% increase. At the graduate level, 1,692 راضق×شخ؟تسئµs are pursuing master’s degrees, while 547 راضق×شخ؟تسئµs are enrolled in doctoral programs.
Dr. Mary Farmer-Kaiser, dean of the , said the rise in continuing graduate راضق×شخ؟تسئµs highlights the quality of UL Lafayette’s programs. “That kind of growth and retention is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the determination of our راضق×شخ؟تسئµs,†she said.
Online learning grew as well, with 2,134 راضق×شخ؟تسئµs enrolled in online programs, a 9% increase over Fall 2024.
Statewide and global reach
راضق×شخ؟تسئµâ€™s public colleges and universities take a census of full-time and part-time راضق×شخ؟تسئµs on the 14th day of classes each fall semester. The totals are reported to the راضق×شخ؟تسئµ Board of Regents and, in the case of UL Lafayette, to the راضق×شخ؟تسئµ of راضق×شخ؟تسئµ System, as well.
The Fall 2025 census also provides a snapshot of the راضق×شخ؟تسئµ community beyond enrollment totals. Among degree-seeking راضق×شخ؟تسئµs, nearly 38% are from underrepresented backgrounds; 30% are classified as first-generation, راضق×شخ؟تسئµs whose parents did not complete a college degree. Ninety percent of راضق×شخ؟تسئµs are from راضق×شخ؟تسئµ and hail from all 64 راضق×شخ؟تسئµ parishes. Forty-six U.S. states, possessions and the District of Columbia and 82 countries are also represented among the راضق×شخ؟تسئµ body.