Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs The University of Alabama

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College and The University of Alabama are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is more selective with a 74.0% acceptance rate compared to The University of Alabama's 75.8%. Average SAT scores are 1248 and 1287 respectively.

Cost: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College offers a lower average net price at $20,015, which is $2,135 less than The University of Alabama ($22,150). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College earn a median salary of $61,251 ten years after enrollment, which is $2,030 more than The University of Alabama graduates ($59,221).

Graduation: The University of Alabama leads with a 73.2% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 84.0% vs 86.1%.

Campus Size: The University of Alabama is the larger campus with 32,323 total students, while Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College has 29,207.

Bottom Line: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.