LAFAYETTE – The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the most affordable university in Louisiana, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency List released this week.
In addition to leading Louisiana as the university with the lowest average net price to attend, UL Lafayette is among the top 10 percent of most affordable four-year public universities in the United States.
“Providing a high-quality education at a very reasonable rate for our students has always been a hallmark of UL Lafayette,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of the university. “We continue to face budget challenges and increasing costs, yet never lose sight that access for our students to achieve a higher education is important to their livelihoods and families, as well as the economic future of our state.”
The 2009-10 annual net price to attend UL Lafayette was $5,129, with 84 percent of students receiving grants or scholarships. The UL Lafayette net price is 18 percent more affordable than the next lowest price to attend a Louisiana university.
Data used by the U.S. Department of Education was reported by institutions for full-time, beginning undergraduate students. The average net price was generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grants or scholarships from the total cost of attendance.
This is the second year the Department of Education published the College Affordability and Transparency List. In a department release, Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated, “Students need to know up front how much college will actually cost them instead of waiting to find out when the first student loan bill arrives. These lists are a major step forward in unraveling the mystery of higher education pricing.”