1. Louisiana State University (LSU)

Overview

Louisiana State University (LSU), located in Baton Rouge, is Louisiana’s flagship public research institution. LSU’s College of Engineering is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the state, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate engineering programs. The university emphasizes hands-on learning, research, and community engagement, with state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers. Students at LSU have access to the Chevron Center for Engineering Education and the Cain Center for STEM Literacy. LSU is particularly strong in areas like petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering, preparing graduates for successful careers in the region’s dominant industries such as energy and infrastructure.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): #108 (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): Over 31,000
• Engineering Students: Approximately 4,500

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Aerospace, Biological, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, Petroleum, and Computer Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in various engineering disciplines.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 75%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 1180-1360 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 310+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Rex Tillerson – Former U.S. Secretary of State and ExxonMobil CEO.
• Mike Eskew – Former CEO of UPS.
• David Vitter – Former U.S. Senator.
• Charles Smith – Former NBA Player and CEO of Charles D. Smith & Associates.
• E. J. Ourso – Businessman and namesake of LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business.

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2. Tulane University

Overview

Tulane University is a private research institution located in New Orleans and is known for its rigorous academic programs and strong research initiatives. The School of Science and Engineering offers robust engineering programs with a focus on interdisciplinary studies, innovation, and sustainability. Tulane is known for its highly selective admissions process and small class sizes, which allow for more personalized learning experiences. Students have access to top-tier research opportunities, with programs emphasizing biomedical, chemical, and environmental engineering. Tulane’s engineering programs are distinguished by their integration of engineering solutions with societal and environmental challenges.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): #125 (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): Over 14,000
• Engineering Students: Approximately 800

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Biomedical, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Biomedical, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 13%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 1410-1510 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 315+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Neil Bluhm – Real estate investor and billionaire.
• Jerry Springer – Television host and former politician.
• David Filo – Co-founder of Yahoo!.
• John Kennedy Toole – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces.
• Scott Cowen – Former President of Tulane University.

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3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette)

Overview

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a leading public institution, especially known for its engineering programs that cater to Louisiana’s energy and technology sectors. UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering offers degrees in key areas such as petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. The university focuses on practical, hands-on learning, and industry partnerships that provide students with opportunities to work on real-world projects. UL Lafayette’s students benefit from research centers like the Energy Institute of Louisiana, which is pivotal in studying energy systems and sustainability in the Gulf Coast region.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): #170 (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): 18,000+
• Engineering Students: Approximately 2,300

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Petroleum, and Computer Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in various engineering disciplines.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 56%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 1100-1280 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 305+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Edwin Edwards – Former Governor of Louisiana.
• Anthony Clement – Former NFL Player.
• Charles Boustany – Former U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 3rd District.
• Don Bertrand – Former Lafayette City-Parish Councilman.
• Michael Doucet – Grammy Award-winning Cajun musician.

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4. Louisiana Tech University

Overview

Louisiana Tech University, based in Ruston, is a nationally recognized public research university that offers a strong engineering program through its College of Engineering and Science. The university’s unique approach integrates engineering, technology, and science in a curriculum that focuses on interdisciplinary learning and real-world problem-solving. Louisiana Tech is known for its research initiatives, particularly in areas like nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and cyber engineering. The university’s Institute for Micromanufacturing and the Center for Applied Physics Studies are leading research centers that provide students with opportunities to work on advanced engineering projects.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): #148 (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): 11,000+
• Engineering Students: Approximately 2,000

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, and Industrial Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in various engineering disciplines.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 64%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 1130-1280 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 310+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Terry Bradshaw – NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and television sports analyst.
• Kix Brooks – Country music singer and half of the duo Brooks & Dunn.
• Karl Malone – NBA Hall of Fame basketball player.
• P.J. Brown – Former NBA player.
• Robert E. Howard – Pioneering fantasy writer, creator of Conan the Barbarian.

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5. Southern University and A&M College

Overview

Southern University and A&M College, located in Baton Rouge, is one of the nation’s largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and is known for its commitment to providing educational opportunities to underserved communities. Southern’s College of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, with a focus on producing engineers who are not only technically proficient but also committed to societal improvement. The college is particularly strong in civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, with robust internship programs and partnerships with industries like aerospace and energy.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): Unranked (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): 6,000+
• Engineering Students: Approximately 1,000

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 42%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 940-1150 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 300+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Melvin “Kip” Holden – Former Mayor-President of Baton Rouge.
• Avery Johnson – Former NBA player and head coach.
• Tommie Green – Former NFL player.
• Tanya Lombard – Vice President of Global External and Public Affairs at AT&T.
• Adrian Perkins – Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana.

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6. McNeese State University

Overview

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, is a public university with a growing reputation for its engineering programs, especially in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering. McNeese’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a practical curriculum that prepares students for immediate employment in industries like petrochemicals, energy, and manufacturing. The university’s close ties with local industries provide students with numerous internship and co-op opportunities, making it an attractive option for students looking for hands-on experience in the engineering sector.

U.S. News Ranking

• National Ranking (Engineering): Unranked (2023)

Student Statistics

• Total Students (Undergraduate & Graduate): 7,000+
• Engineering Students: Approximately 800

Degrees Offered

• Undergraduate Degrees: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering.
• Graduate Degrees: Master’s in Engineering Management.

Acceptance Rate

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 81%

Average SAT and GRE Scores

• Average SAT Score: 1030-1190 (middle 50%)
• Average GRE Score for Engineering Master’s Students: 305+ (verbal and quantitative combined)

Famous Alumni

• Joe Dumars – NBA Hall of Fame player and General Manager of the Detroit Pistons.
• Keith Ortego – Former NFL wide receiver.
• Tom Henke – Former MLB pitcher and two-time All-Star.
• Wilfred Joseph – CEO of The Joseph Group and philanthropist.
• Dana Pharant – Entrepreneur and leadership consultant.