Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Louisiana State University-Alexandria ranks among the best institutions for liberal arts in the American South.

Founded as a two-year commuter college in 1960, the first course that LSUA ran was a degree in nursing. It added sciences, liberal arts and business administration programmes to its offering in 1967. The early noughties were a period of immense change for the institution, which began to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees, and underwent a reorganisation which resulted in departments being merged into two colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies. Nursing, biology, criminal justice and general studies are among its most popular courses these days. Those who attend LSUA graduate with below average levels of debt.

LSUA is located just south of central Alexandria, a diverse and business-friendly city with a range of art galleries and performing arts centres. It is 75 miles from Lafayette, a university town and arguably the state’s culinary capital, which hosts the annual Festival International de Louisiane, celebrating the state’s Francophone roots. Baton Rouge, the state capital, and home of LSU’s largest institution, one of the best 100 public universities nationwide, is 100 miles away.

New Orleans, by far the most famous and populous city in Louisiana, is 190 miles south east. A melting pot of various cultures and races, its history rivals that of any American city, and it is widely regarded as one of the liveliest places in the country, with a strong spirit that has seen its residents brave tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina.