The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Fall 2026 enrollment declined 2.5% from the previous fall. The University’s annual enrollment census showed:
- Overall enrollment totaled 15,702 students, compared with 16,100 in Fall 2025, a decrease of 398 students.
- Undergraduate enrollment totaled 13,602 students, a decrease of 1.6% from Fall 2025.
- Graduate enrollment totaled 2,100 students, a decrease of 7.6% from Fall 2025.
The Fall 2026 census also reflects the withdrawal of nearly 300 students who did not meet academic progress requirements or who had not paid required fees. This fall marked the first time in approximately a decade that the University took such action.
“We made strategic decisions knowing it would reduce overall enrollment,” said Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, University president. “We must establish practices that position our students to succeed academically while strengthening the University’s ability to support their success, maintain financial viability and provide an accurate census baseline for what comes next.
“These enrollment totals also provide a clear and urgent call to action,” Kolluru continued. “We know where momentum is building, and we understand where focused attention is needed. Working together across the University and our community, we will convert that momentum into greater enrollment, stronger student persistence, increased graduation rates and sustained growth, achieving the goals we have outlined in Louisiana Vision 2035.”
Louisiana’s public colleges and universities take a census of full- and part-time students on the 14th day of classes each fall semester. Enrollment totals are reported to the Louisiana Board of Regents and, for UL Lafayette, to the University of Louisiana System as well.
Dr. Andy Benoit began serving as vice president for Student Success on March 1, after much of the recruitment cycle for Fall 2026 was already underway. The University’s immediate focus included strengthening retention and student outcomes while developing recruitment strategies for the Fall 2027 enrollment cycle.
“Our responsibility is to our students, and that means positioning them to succeed from enrollment through employment,” Benoit said. “We must identify academic and financial barriers earlier and work with students before those barriers interrupt their education. To move forward, we must take a different approach to how we recruit, retain and support students.”
Several factors contributed to the decline in graduate enrollment, including challenges affecting international student enrollment nationally and a strong year of graduate degree completion that resulted in fewer continuing students. International graduate enrollment decreased 9.1%, from 473 to 430 students. At the same time, international undergraduate enrollment increased 7.7%, from 104 to 112 students.
Benoit said the University is expanding recruitment throughout Acadiana and Louisiana, with emphasis on Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport, while extending its reach into targeted out-of-state markets in Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, and internationally. Recruitment efforts will include an increased focus on high-achieving students, including valedictorians and student leaders. UL Lafayette is also strengthening transfer pathways with two-year institutions, high school partnerships, academic advising, student engagement and coordinated retention initiatives.
The Fall 2026 census also showed growth in several areas:
- Enrollment in the College of Engineering increased 8.1%, while enrollment in the College of Liberal Arts increased 1.7%.
- The University welcomed 2,983 first-time freshmen, who entered with an average ACT score of 23 and an average overall GPA of 3.45.
- The University enrolled 661 new undergraduate transfer students, marking the second consecutive year with more than 650 new transfers.
- Out-of-state freshman enrollment increased 17%, from 106 to 124 students.
- The University enrolled 40 new homeschooled freshmen, an increase of 53.9% from 26 in Fall 2025.
- High school dual enrollment increased 4%, from 879 to 914 students.
- Doctoral enrollment remained strong, with 22 students enrolled in the new Ph.D. in Applied Computing and Information Sciences across its online and on-campus programs.
- Approximately 3,500 students are living in University residence halls and on-campus apartments this fall
“Across all our colleges, UL Lafayette continues to be a destination for students seeking an exceptional education, opportunities to learn and conduct research at an R1 university, a supportive community and a clear pathway to successful careers,” Kolluru said. “Industry partnerships and Louisiana’s recent economic development wins will provide significant opportunities for institutional growth. I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff whose work contributes to the success of our students every day. Together, we will work to recruit and retain students and connect our graduates to career opportunities right here in Louisiana.”