How to get into Louisiana State University-Shreveport
How to get into LSU Shreveport: a small public regional university with strong nursing and online-degree options
50.5%
Acceptance rate
$7,518
In-state cost
What makes Louisiana State University-Shreveport admissions different
LSU Shreveport is a small (~2,200 undergrad) public regional university in Shreveport, LA — part of the LSU System but operationally distinct from LSU Baton Rouge. The student body is heavily commuter and includes a high proportion of working adult learners; the online degree completion programs (especially the RN-to-BSN, MBA, and Health Administration) are well-established and serve a national audience. Programs are concentrated in Business, Health Sciences, Education, and the liberal arts. Cost (in-state) is among the most affordable in the LSU System and Pell-eligible applicants often pay nothing out of pocket after federal and state aid stack.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through LSUS's institutional online application. The application is straightforward and includes a personal statement.
- 2.
Louisiana residents: file the FAFSA by July 1 for the TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) award — TOPS covers full tuition at LSU System schools for Louisiana high school graduates who meet GPA and ACT thresholds.
- 3.
If Nursing is the goal, plan for the secondary BSN admit process after general university admission; the BSN admits a limited cohort.
- 4.
If you're an online or degree-completion applicant, work with the LSUS online programs office on credit transfer and articulation — LSUS has well-established transfer agreements with Louisiana community colleges and military service members.
- 5.
Apply for institutional scholarships at the time of application — LSUS offers Chancellor's, Dean's, and named scholarships from the admit pool.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the TOPS GPA and ACT requirements as a Louisiana resident. TOPS is the state aid program; eligibility requires specific high school GPA, ACT, and curriculum completion — verify early to plan high school coursework.
- ✕
Assuming Nursing flows from general admission. The BSN admits separately and competitively.
- ✕
Underestimating online program quality. LSUS's online programs are accredited and well-regarded, especially the MBA — but applicants need to plan around the asynchronous structure.
The specifics for Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Application deadlines
- Priority application2026-04-15
- FAFSA / Louisiana TOPS2026-07-01TOPS requires FAFSA filing; Louisiana state aid administered through LOSFA.
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Heavily commuter and adult-learner population
LSUS serves a heavily commuter and working-adult population with strong online degree completion programs (RN-to-BSN, MBA, Health Administration).
Louisiana TOPS Scholarship eligibility ↗
Louisiana high school graduates who meet TOPS GPA and ACT thresholds receive TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors awards that cover full tuition at Louisiana public universities including LSUS.
What graduates actually do
LSU Shreveport is a regional public university serving northwestern Louisiana, with strong pipelines into the LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Ochsner LSU Health, and Caddo Parish public schools. The online MBA program is one of the most affordable in the country and produces a large cohort of working-professional graduates. Graduates feed regional banking, energy services (oil and gas), and Barksdale Air Force Base.
Notable alumni
- Foster Campbell — Louisiana state senator
Transfer pathway
LSU Shreveport honors Louisiana's statewide articulation matrix for state CC credits. Bossier Parish Community College, the immediate-neighbor CC, sends the largest transfer cohort under a formal 2+2 agreement. The university also accepts online transfer applicants on a rolling basis.
Articulation partners
Bossier Parish Community College · Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
LSUS is a likely admit for Louisiana residents who meet the academic floor. The financial story (TOPS + Pell + institutional aid) is among the strongest in Louisiana for a four-year university. Nursing and other limited-cohort programs require additional steps.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.