Organizer Information
Louisiana State University (LSU) is a public research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. Its College of Art & Design includes the School of Art, School of Architecture, School of Interior Design, and Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. The university offers undergraduate and graduate study across visual arts, art history, architecture, design, and related disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Louisiana State University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, BArch, MArch, BInterior Design, MInterior Design, BLA, MLA, Doctor of Design
- Academic Fields: Fine arts, studio art, digital art, graphic design, art history, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture
- Relevant Programs: Art and Design; Studio Art; Art History; Architecture; Interior Design; Landscape Architecture; Digital Media Arts & Engineering
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by program and entry term
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate regular decision: 1 February 2027; graduate deadlines vary by program and entry term
- Start of Studies: Fall, spring, or summer, depending on program
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $70 international graduate
- Tuition: At 15 credit hours per semester, approximately $14,706–$14,826 for nonresident undergraduates and $15,622–$15,756 for nonresident graduate students
- Funding: Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and other financial support opportunities
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
LSU's College of Art & Design offers programs across several creative and built-environment disciplines:
- Fine Arts and Studio Art: Ceramics, digital art, graphic design, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
- Art History: Undergraduate study and a Master of Arts in Art History.
- Architecture: Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture.
- Interior Design: Bachelor of Interior Design and Master of Interior Design.
- Landscape Architecture: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture.
- Digital Media: Master in Digital Media Arts & Engineering.
The BA in Art and Design supports an interdisciplinary course of study, while the BFA provides more concentrated studio training. Eligibility and portfolio requirements depend on the individual program and stage of study.
General Eligibility
- LSU accepts domestic and international applicants. Admission requirements depend on the degree level, academic department, and program.
- First-year applicants are assessed on their secondary-school academic records and other applicable admissions criteria. Graduate applicants must meet the Graduate School's minimum requirements and any additional departmental criteria. Admission to selective creative programs may involve a separate review after initial university admission.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: First-year applicants must meet LSU's secondary-school admission requirements. Transfer applicants must satisfy the relevant transfer and program requirements.
- Graduate: Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution or a recognized international equivalent. The Graduate School normally requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, subject to its published rules.
- MFA in Studio Art: Applicants must hold a BA, BFA, BS, or equivalent undergraduate degree.
- MA in Art History: Applicants from disciplines other than art history may apply, subject to the program's academic requirements.
Language Requirements
International applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency must meet the applicable requirements for their study level.
For graduate admission, LSU lists these minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE: 59
- Duolingo English Test: 110
- Michigan English Test: 53
Certain applicants may qualify for an exemption based on previous education or country of origin. Official scores and supporting documents must meet LSU's requirements. Undergraduate international applicants should check the separate undergraduate admissions rules, which list different accepted tests and exemption conditions.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year applicants | $50 | Eligible applicants may qualify for a fee waiver |
| International undergraduate applicants | $50 | Nonrefundable |
| Domestic graduate applicants | $50 | Limited fee waivers for eligible applicants |
| International graduate applicants | $70 | Graduate School waivers are not available to international applicants |
The graduate application fee is charged for each application submission. Some departments may offer discount codes to selected applicants.
Tuition
| Study level | Applicant type | Tuition and mandatory fees | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Louisiana resident | $6,363.75–$6,483.75 | Per semester, 15 credit hours |
| Undergraduate | Nonresident, including most international students | $14,705.75–$14,825.75 | Per semester, 15 credit hours |
| Graduate | Louisiana resident | $7,142.75–$7,277 | Per semester, 15 credit hours |
| Graduate | Nonresident, including most international students | $15,621.75–$15,756 | Per semester, 15 credit hours |
These figures reflect the university's published 2026–2027 schedules for different program cost tiers. They include the mandatory fees identified in the schedules. The university may revise tuition and fees; students should consult the relevant schedule for their program and enrollment load.
Additional costs may apply depending on the program and student's circumstances. International students should verify any applicable health-insurance charges and other enrollment costs before budgeting.
Funding & Financial Support
- LSU provides financial aid and scholarship opportunities, including undergraduate merit-based scholarships and graduate assistantships. Funding eligibility, award amounts, and application deadlines vary by opportunity.
- The School of Architecture awards graduate assistantships based on academic credentials and design portfolios. Undergraduate applicants should review LSU's scholarship deadlines, while graduate applicants should consult their department's funding information. International applicants should verify eligibility for each individual award rather than assume that all funding is available to them.
University Services & Academic Support
- Art studios and creative facilities: The College of Art & Design provides facilities supporting studio-based learning and creative practice.
- Exhibition opportunities: The School of Art identifies on-campus and off-site galleries as part of its educational environment.
- Faculty guidance: Students can arrange visits and speak with relevant program directors or area coordinators.
- International student support: LSU's Office of Global Engagement provides guidance concerning immigration documentation, visa timelines, and transition to university life.
- Graduate academic support: Graduate students can access program-specific guidance and research supervision according to their degree requirements.
Access to particular facilities and opportunities depends on the program and applicable university policies.
Application Requirements
Required materials vary by degree and department.
Undergraduate applicants generally submit the application and academic records required by LSU. First-year applicants with a cumulative weighted high-school GPA below 3.5 must submit an ACT or SAT score under the current admissions policy; applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may choose whether to submit scores.
Graduate applicants generally submit:
- Academic transcripts and evidence of the required prior degree
- CV or résumé
- Application fee
- English-proficiency scores, where applicable
- Additional materials specified by the department
Program-specific creative requirements include:
- MFA in Studio Art: A statement of purpose, résumé, 20 images of recent work, and three recommendation letters. Applicants must also complete the School of Art's separate application.
- MA in Art History: A statement of purpose, academic transcripts, applicable test scores, and at least two confidential recommendation letters.
- MArch: Transcripts, a statement of intent of up to 500 words, a creative-work portfolio, three recommendation letters, and applicable TOEFL scores. GRE scores are optional under the published program instructions.
- BFA in Art: Students complete an initial year of foundation courses and subsequently submit a foundation portfolio and a discipline-specific portfolio for selective admission into their chosen area.
Applicants should check their intended program's current instructions for any additional materials or changed requirements.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admission — Fall 2027 entry
- Priority Deadline for Scholarships: 1 December 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: 1 February 2027
Graduate admission — on-campus programs
- Fall Entry, International Applicants: 1 May
- Fall Entry, Domestic Applicants: 1 July
- Spring Entry, International Applicants: 1 October
- Spring Entry, Domestic Applicants: 15 November
- Summer Entry, International Applicants: 1 February
- Summer Entry, Domestic Applicants: 1 May
Program-specific deadlines
- MFA in Studio Art — Assistantship Eligibility: 1 February for the following fall semester
- MA in Art History — Fall financial-support priority: 1 March
- MA in Art History — Spring financial-support priority: 1 October
- BFA transfer applicants — Recommended deadline for fall entry: 15 February
Location
Louisiana State University — Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Additional Details
- BFA selection: Admission to LSU does not automatically guarantee admission to a specific BFA concentration. Students complete foundation coursework before the School of Art's selective admissions review.
- Separate graduate applications: MFA in Studio Art applicants must apply to both the Graduate School and the School of Art.
- Graduate deadlines: Departmental deadlines may precede the general university deadlines. Confirm the applicable intake and funding deadline with the program.
- International credentials: Graduate applicants must submit the required degree certificates and transcripts, with certified English translations for documents issued in other languages.
- Tuition classification: Nonresident rates generally apply to international students who do not qualify for Louisiana resident tuition. Confirm the classification and the relevant program's fee tier before calculating total costs.