Last Updated: October 03, 2021
Louisiana - The Pelican State
Louisiana is located in the Southeastern part of the US, bordered by Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Being the 24th most populous state in the US, the Pelican State has a population of about 4.67 million.
New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, used to be the state capital in 1722. In 1849, Baton Rouge became the capital of Louisiana. Most states in the US are divided into Counties, but Louisiana is an exception here. It is subdivided into different parishes. Louisiana is a state that is often called the melting pot of various cultures because of the numerous ethnic groups that coexist in this state. For instance, the Cajuns or the Acadians are an ethnic group that is largely found in the Pelican State.
In 1683, to honor the King of France, Louis XIV, Robert Sieur de La Salle (French explorer) named the region “La Louisianne”, which is how the state got its name.
Major Cities in Louisiana
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana with an estimated population of 391,000. It was founded in the year 1718 and was named after Philippe II, Duc d'Orleans, the Regent of France. It is said that Jazz music has its roots in the city of New Orleans and is often known as the “birthplace of jazz”. The city is also popular for its diversity and the Mardi Gras festival. It is home to some of the most popular educational institutions like the Tulane University of Louisiana, the University of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans, and the Xavier University of Louisiana.
Baton Rouge
This is the second-largest city of Louisiana and is the capital city of the state. The estimated population of the city is approximately 225,000. The city was founded in 1699 and was established as a city in 1817. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are situated in this city. Audio engineering, Education, Energy, and Manufacturing are the major industries in this city. Popular attractions include the USS KIDD Veterans Museum, Louisiana's Old State Capitol, Capitol Park Museum, Blue Bayou Water Park, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, and so on.
Shreveport
Founded in 1836 by the Shreve Town Company, the city is a major commercial and cultural hub. Shreveport is the third biggest city in the state of Louisiana with a population of over 192,000. The city was named after Captain Henry Miller Shreve. The Louisiana State University-Shreveport is situated in this city. It is a major industrial hub with major sectors like petroleum, natural gas, and iron and steel production. Popular sites in the city are the Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport Aquarium, Splash Kingdom Waterpark Shreveport, Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, American Rose Center, etc.
Metairie
With an estimated population of over 142,000, Metairie is the fourth major city of Louisiana. It was founded in 1721 and is situated in Jefferson Parish. The major economic sectors in this city are Health Care, Mining, Construction, and Finance. The Royal Street, Lafreniere Park, New Orleans Nightmare Haunted, Huey P Long Bridge, TPC Louisiana, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Bonnabel Boat Launch, etc., are some of the top sites in this city.
Economy/Job Market
- Oil, natural gas, commercial fishing, manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture are the prominent sectors in Louisiana.
- Some of the largest companies are CenturyLink, Acadia Healthcare, Ochsner Health System, Momentum, Odyssea Marine, etc.
- Louisiana experienced a rapid decline after the covid-19 pandemic. Considering that the state does not have a diverse economy, and relies mostly on Oil production, Tourism, and Energy, Louisiana faced major losses.
- According to Prof. Gary Wagner, the state holds the 46th position in the US in terms of economic recovery. The unemployment rate is 7.1% which is higher than the national unemployment rate.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Louisiana
The cost of living in Louisiana is lower than the national average. Housing costs are the cheapest, followed by utilities, groceries, and healthcare. The median household income is about $50,000 which is lower than the national average of around $69,000 to $70,000. The most affordable cities in Louisiana are Oakdale, Franklin, Abbeville, Jackson, and Patterson. The most expensive cities in the state are New Orleans, Natchitoches, Ruston, Thibodaux, and Grambling. The cost of higher education can be expensive if one prefers to study in a private institute in Louisiana as the tuition fee is higher than the national average. The average cost in a private institution is around $39,000, and the tuition fee in one of the top private universities in the state, Tulane University of Louisiana, is around $60,000.
List of Few Major Universities/Colleges
The top universities/colleges in the state of Louisiana are:
- Tulane University of Louisiana This is a reputed private institution situated in the largest city of New Orleans. It is highly acclaimed for its excellent academic quality and some of the best faculty. The university was founded in 1834 and was originally established as the Medical College of Louisiana. With over 15,000 students and over 1,000 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1. Finance, Business, Marketing, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Economics are the most popular majors offered here. The tuition fee for undergraduate students in this university is around $60,000.
- Louisiana Tech University Situated in Ruston, Louisiana Tech University was established in the year 1894. It is popular for its diverse student body, along with excellent educational quality at affordable rates. The university also provides several scholarships for its students. The university has about 14,000 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1. Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Liberal Arts, and Humanities, are some of the most popular majors here. The tuition fee for undergraduate in-state students is around $11,000, and around $18,000 for out-of-state students.
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Established in 1853, Louisiana State University is a public university situated in the capital city of Baton Rouge. The university houses over 33,000 students and over 1,000 faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. This university is popular for its vibrant student life and extracurricular activities, along with a fine learning environment. Popular majors here are Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, Communications, Biology, Marketing, Construction Management, and Psychology. The tuition fee for undergraduate in-state students is around $13,000 and about $31,000 for out-of-state students.
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette This is a public institution situated in Lafayette. It was founded on July 14, 1898. The university is well-known for its high-quality research and some of the best academic programs. With more than 19,000 students and more than 700 teachers, the student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. Nursing, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, Business, Manufacturing Engineering Technician, and Mechanical Engineering are some of the most sought-after majors in this university. The tuition fee for undergraduate in-state students is around $12,000 and over $26,000 for out-of-state students.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
There are many scholarship programs and grants available in Louisiana, and students must submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for financial aid.
- Taylor Opportunity Program for Students(TOPS): This is a popular scholarship program that provides financial assistance to the high school graduates of the state. The award is segregated into four categories, namely, TOPS Opportunity Award, TOPS Performance Award, TOPS Honors Award, and TOPS Tech Award. To be eligible for the program, the student is required to be a permanent resident of Louisiana, secure a minimum score of 2.50 to 3.00 GPA in high school, submit the highest ACT or SAT score, and plan to pursue a degree from an accredited college on a full-time basis. The award amount is $400 to $800 annually.
- Louisiana Go Grant: This is a grant program initiated to help students who demonstrate financial need. To be qualified for the program, the student must be a legal resident of the state of Louisiana, must attend an accredited public or private institution from Louisiana on a full-time basis, must be qualified for a Pell Grant, should not be more than 25 years of age, and should display the required level of economic need. The award amount may vary based on the availability of funds. However, a full-time student is generally awarded an amount of $1,000 per academic year.
- Southern Automotive Women's Forum Scholarship: This is a scholarship program for women who wish to pursue or who are pursuing a degree in fields from the automobile and mobility industry. This applies to students pursuing an associate, undergraduate, or graduate degree. The candidate should be a US citizen and a legal resident of Louisiana. To be qualified for the program, the student must enroll in a STEM field from an accredited institution in Louisiana on a full-time or part-time basis, and secure and maintain a minimum score of 2.5 GPA. The award amount for this program is $5,000 per academic year.
- Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship: This is a scholarship program to assist both undergraduate and graduate students of the state. To be eligible for the program the student must attend a degree from an accredited public institution of the state on a full-time basis, be a legal resident of Louisiana, and pursue a major in Forestry, Wildlife, or Marine Science. Undergraduate students should secure and maintain a score of 2.50 GPA, and graduate students should secure and maintain a score of 3.00 GPA or more. The annual award amount for an undergraduate student is $2,000 and $3,000 for a graduate student.
Tourism
Louisiana is popularly known as a state not just rich in cultural diversity but also in terms of food, music, art, and architecture. A popular aspect of the state is the Mardi Gras festival that symbolizes the spirit of the Pelican State. It is celebrated from mid-February to early March which is also the best time to visit the state. Louisiana is famous when it comes to cuisines, and the most popular dishes here are Shrimp Étouffe, Jambalaya, Beignet, Po’boy, Muffuletta, Maque Choux, and a lot more. However, the most iconic dish out here is Gumbo, and its mixture of various ingredients is often compared to the coexistence of various ethnic groups in the state. Popular tourist destinations are the French Quarter, Vermilionville Historic Village, National WWII Museum, Melrose Plantation, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Old State Capitol, Rosedown Plantation and Gardens, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, and so on.
Universities & Colleges in Louisiana
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
