• The state of Louisiana has 28 colleges and universities.Louisiana state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  The State of Louisiana has three public university systems and ten private institutions of higher learning. While many of its schools are nationally-recognized, state government budget shortfalls have created the need for universities to cut back on academic offerings in recent years. On top of that, many schools, especially those in New Orleans, have not fully recovered from the devastating effects of 2005's Hurricane Katrina.
  
  

Louisiana Tech University

• Louisiana Tech University (LaTech) is the largest school in the University of Louisiana System of eight institutions. Founded in 1894, it is located in the small town of Ruston. There are nearly 11,000 students at LaTech. Undergraduates are enrolled in five colleges and graduate students have a choice of 31 master's and 10 doctoral programs. The university's research strengths are in the areas of nanotechnology, bioinformatics and information technology. Louisiana Tech athletic teams compete in the Western Athletic Conference. The school has a history of championship sports teams and elite athletes.
  
  Louisiana Tech University
  305 Wisteria St.
  Ruston, LA 71272
  318-257-2000
  latech.edu
  
  

Louisiana State University

• Louisiana State University is the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System. It is located in Baton Rouge and a U.S. News & World Report tier-one research university. Founded in 1853, LSU is the home to the prestigious literary journal, the Southern Review. Over 26,000 students are enrolled at the university in 17 colleges and schools. LSU is an athletics powerhouse with world-class sports facilities and a long history of national championship titles in many sports. It is a member of the highly-competitive Southeastern Conference.
  
  Louisiana State University
  110 Thomas Boyd Hall
  Baton Rouge, LA 70803
  225-578-1175
  lsu.edu
  
  

Southern University and A&M College

• The Southern University System of five campuses is the nation's only historically black system of colleges and universities. Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge (SUBR) is the flagship institution. In 1880, the Louisiana legislature established the SUBR with a charter largely due to the efforts of Pinckney Pinchback, the first African American governor in U.S. history. Nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at SUBR. The university's engineering programs are highly regarded. Southern University's marching band is nationally known as the "Human Jukebox" for its lively halftime shows featuring dancing and complicated drumline displays. Its athletic teams compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
  
  Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
  Southern Branch Post Office
  Baton Rouge, LA 70813
  225-771-4500
  subr.edu
  
  

Xavier University of Louisiana

• Xavier University is a member of the country's historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). Of the over 100 HBCUs in the country, Xavier is the fifth best, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings. It is the only Catholic institution among the HBCUs and was founded in 1925 by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. There are over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students at Xavier. The private university offers 47 areas of study. It ranks number one in the number of African American students who graduate with degrees in biology and the physical sciences. Xavier also has more African American graduates accepted into medical school than any other university in the nation.
  
  Xavier University of Louisiana
  1 Drexel Drive
  New Orleans, LA 70125
  504-486-7411
  xula.edu