Big Opportunities
We're the second-largest university in the state and growing!
About Us
Get a more personal, deeper educational experience here.
Close Community
We offer all of the opportunities of a large university with the comforts of a small, private institution.
Gift for Bringing People Together
Our unique culture creates a close community of scholars and friends.
Academic Overview
240+
Whatever your passion, you can study it here at UL Lafayette.
50
Advance your undergraduate experience in one of our masters and doctoral programs.
18
Our online degree and course offerings include 100% online and hybrid options.
Academic Excellence
UL Lafayette is known for exceptional programs. Some of our most notable and recognized programs include nursing, the sciences, engineering, the humanities, and architecture.
Campus by the Number
15,665
students enrolled Fall 2024
2,269
graduate students enrolled Fall 2022
450+
international students
Our students come from 70+ different countries and to all of them we say: You are welcome here.
Research for a Reason
Among the Top 10 in the U.S.
The National Science Foundation ranks us amoung the best universities for our percentage of research and development expenditures funded by business.
The Carnegie Foundation designates UL Lafayette as a “Research University with Very High Research Activity.” That puts UL Lafayette in the same category as Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Princeton.
One of 250 Universities worldwide in the National Academy of Inventors
This organization encourages and supports inventors working in academic settings.
Inclusive Excellence
UL Lafayette is all about inclusion. We strive to bring everyone to the same table.
And we’re always working to do better. Our Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence establishes an ambitious, measurable agenda for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in course offerings, hiring, student services, and community outreach.
Pillars of Our Values
UL Lafayette has earned the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for six years in a row because of our programs, initiatives and efforts that promote equity and inclusion.
Our Louisiana Educate Program helps academically accomplished, low-income students remain in college.
Top 16%
UL Lafayette as one of the best universities in the nation for social mobility and providing a “best bang for the buck” education.
#25 Most Eco-Friendly University in the U.S.
UL Lafayette was ranked No. 195 in the world and No. 25 in U.S. for eco-friendliness in 2019. Our commitment to sustainability stretches beyond waste reduction, planting trees, and environmentally-sound construction practices. We believe eco-friendly practices and programs benefit the campus and our community while creating opportunities for education and research.
Learn moreHear the Rage of the Cajuns
Geaux Cajuns
We're the only University in the world with the unforgettable athletics nickname of the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Highest level of the collegiate sports
Our student-athletes compete in the NCAA’s Division 1.
Highly ranked
In 2020, Louisiana Football was voted No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll.
Heart & Hand
Nearly 130,000 people have earned degrees from UL Lafayette since its founding, although their diplomas may bear different school names. SLII became Southwestern Louisiana Institute in 1921. SLI was renamed the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1960. In 1999, USL became the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.