North Louisiana's 11 colleges and universities partner with business and industry to create a workforce pipeline that supply qualified and skilled workers. Our institutions of higher learning also provide the intellectual capital and R&D to foster innovation in our region.
North Louisiana’s 12 Colleges and Universities
North Louisiana's 12 colleges and universities generate the innovations necessary to increase productivity and produce top quality graduates needed to sustain business growth and expansion. More than 62,370 students are enrolled in our four year, two year and technical schools in key fields such as computer science, cyber security engineering, allied health, pharmacology, engineering, manufacturing, process technology, and business. Our higher education partners work readily with business and industry to create a workforce pipeline to fill demand fields.
North Louisiana institutions of higher learning are recognized nationally and globally for their top quality programs and research. They work readily with employers to customize curricula to address workforce needs.
-
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston is the largest four year university in North Louisiana. It was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Tier 1 National School (2020).
-
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is also ranked as a Tier 1 National School by U.S. News & World Report and has the only public Pharmacy School in the State.
-
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is a four-year medical school, training osteopathic physicans in every medical field from neurosurgery to family practice. Its brand new, 100,000 square foot facility on the campus of ULM will begin classes in the Fall of 2020.
-
Centenary College ranks as a top tier liberal arts college in North Louisiana.
-
Northwestern State University and LSU-Shreveport are recognized as top Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report.
-
Grambling State University and Southern Universtiy at Shreveport are well known Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
-
LSU Health Shreveport is home to the only medical school in north Louisiana and one of only three in the state.
-
Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana Delta Community College offer employer-focused academic degree and certificate programs.
-
Northwest Louisiana Technical College system provides vocational education in everything from nursing to automotive.
Enrollment in Colleges and Universities
Enrollment at North Louisiana Schools (Spring 2020 Enrollment)
|
2 Year Institutions |
Location |
Enrollment
|
Primary Program(s)** |
|
Bossier Parish Community College |
Bossier City |
5,973 |
Business, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Oil & Gas Production, Technology, Information Systems, Construction Technology, Recording Arts, Respiratory Therapy |
|
Louisiana Delta Community College |
8 campuses
(Monroe) |
3,874 |
Process Engineering, C4M, Welding, Industrial Instrumentation Technology, Nursing, Education, Computer Science, Information Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Electrician |
|
Northwest Louisiana Technical College |
4 campuses |
935 |
Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Automotive Technology, Business Office Administration, Business Office Technology,
Carpenter Technician, Diesel Powered Equipment Technology, Electrician- Industrial Electrician, Heavy Equipment Vehicle Operator, HVAC Technician, Industrial Instrumentation & Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Information Technology |
|
Southern University-Shreveport |
Shreveport |
3,011 |
Airframe & Powerplant Maintenance, Allied Health, Business, Nursing |
|
4 Year Institutions |
Location |
Enrollment |
Primary Program(s)**
|
|
Centenary College of Louisiana |
Shreveport |
585 |
Biology, Business,Communications, Geology; MBA, Music, Psychology |
|
Grambling State University |
Grambling |
5,495 |
Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Mass Comm., Nursing, Social Work, Technology Education |
|
LSU Health-Shreveport |
Shreveport |
982
|
Medical Doctorate, Medical Technology, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Clinical Lab Science |
|
Louisiana State University-Shreveport |
Shreveport |
9,955 |
Petroleum Engineering, Animation & Visual Effects, Biology, Business, Computer Information Systems, Health Administration, Energy, Land Management, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, MBA |
|
Louisiana Tech University |
Ruston |
11,084 |
Biology, Business, Cyber Security, Education, Engineering, MBA, Micromanufacturing, Marketing, Nursing, Sociology
|
|
Northwestern State University |
Natchitoches |
11,539 |
Biology, Business, Computer Information Systems, Education, Engineering Technology, Nursing, Psychology |
|
University of Louisiana of Monroe |
Monroe |
9,075 |
Business, Education, Computer Information Systems, Construction Management, Nursing, Pharmacy, Radiology, Toxicology |
|
Total Enrollment |
|
62,508 |
|
Sources: Louisiana Board of Regents, Fall 2020.
* LSU Health Shreveport enrollment includes residents and fellows not reported by the La. Board of Regents
** Primary programs are based on the numbers of degrees/certificates awarded.
Four Year Universities
CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA
Centenary College is a small, private liberal arts and science school in Shreveport, recognized as one of the top colleges in the South. Centenary boasts 22 majors in the arts and sciences, numerous academic concentrations, a variety of pre-professional programs, and two graduate programs (MBA, MAT). Its pre-med program has a long and distinguished history and has a medical school acceptance rate of 93%.
-
Listed among the “Best 376 Colleges” and “Best Southeastern Colleges” (Princeton Review, 2011)
-
Ranks among the Tier 1 schools (U.S. News & World Report, 2019)
GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY
As a noted historically black college, Grambling State University continues the tradition of bettering the lives of its students. Grambling University offers more than 800 courses and 68 degree programs at its five colleges: College of Business; College of Education; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Professional Studies and College of Graduate Studies & Research.
Grambling is well-known for its excellent nursing and teacher education programs. GSU is a member of the University of Louisiana System (ULS), and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
National and local employers recruit graduates from Grambling’s excellent nursing, computer science and teacher education programs.
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH - SHREVEPORT
LSU Health - Shreveport is North Louisiana's only medical school and teaching hospital, offering multi-disciplinary research opportunities through its School of Medicine.
Disciplines in basic and clinical sciences offer students and faculty unlimited research potential and provide an inextricable link between education, patient care services, research, and community outreach. LSU Health Shreveport is home to state-designated Centers of Excellence including the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and a Center of Excellence in Arthritis and Rheumatology. On its main campus you will also find an accredited Children’s Hospital, a regional Burn Center and a Level One Trauma Center.
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - SHREVEPORT
Louisiana State University - Shreveport offers nearly 40 undergraduate degree programs and a dozen master's degree programs to the more than 8,579 student enrolled at the region’s urban university. Located in the Shreveport-Bossier metropolitan area, LSUS works closely with local and regional employers to develop programs that will meet workforce needs.
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
As the largest university in North Louisiana with nearly 12,000 students enrolled, Louisiana Tech University rose into the top tier of the “Best National Universities” as ranked by
U.S. News & World Report. The magazine also recognized Louisiana Tech as a "Top Public School" and a
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science ranked in the top 125 nationally of all engineering schools, and the College of Education ranked in the top 150 of all education graduate schools.
Tech's nationally recognized Institute of Micromanufacturing acts as an incubator for innovation and research. The cross-disciplinary research developed by faculty and students is then commercialized by companies located at the school's newest research park, Enterprise Campus. Its Cyber Security program is the first of its kind in the nation and was developed in partnership with the U.S. military.
NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Northwestern State University is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria.
Northwestern offers 50 degree programs to nearly 10,918 students at its North Louisiana campuses, including biology, business, education, nursing and psychology degrees.
Northwestern was the first institution in Louisiana to gain 100 percent accreditation of all eligible academic programs. That designation shows that the academic programs at NSU meet the highest standards set by national accrediting agencies.
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE
The University of Louisiana at Monroe enrolls more than 8,699 students. ULM has the only state supported College of Pharmacy in Louisiana, offering advanced degrees in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science, and an undergraduate degree in Toxicology—one of only seven toxicology programs in the nation. The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is currently under construction at the ULM campus.
ULM graduates experience a high rate of job placement. One-third of the National Weather Service forecasters in Louisiana are graduates of ULM's atmospheric science program. ULM graduates enter medical schools at a 70% acceptance rate - significantly above the national average. Health Studies has a 100% placement rate for applicants to occupational therapy graduate school. 100% of pharmacy students secure jobs before graduation with annual salaries averaging $115,000.
Community Colleges
BOSSIER PARISH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) trains graduates for the workforce in key sectors. BPCC's partnership with business and industry drives their rapidly growing enrollment, due in part to the College's alignment of its academic offerings to demand fields.
BPCC receives national accolades for its Cyber Information Technology program. BPCC recently received its new designation of Center for Workforce Excellence in Cyber Technology. The College also offers associate degrees and certificate/technical diplomas in high demand fields. Their programs in allied health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, technology, engineering, mathematics, energy, construction and industrial technologies produce qualified and job ready workers.
LOUISIANA DELTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Louisiana Delta Community College offers bridges to careers through studies like nursing, business technology, computer/networking support and process technology. Students can also choose to study more than 180 industrialized-based courses through the Workforce Development program.
LA Delta provides a variety of training programs for businesses and industries in northeast Louisiana through the Louisiana Department of Labor’s Incumbent Worker Program, grants and private pay. Opportunities include the Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) training program. CMS is designed to build foundational skills needed in manufacturing and represents skills needed for about 85 percent of the new industrial jobs coming to the region.
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT SHREVEPORT
Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) is a two year campus of the historically black Southern University system. The Shreveport campus has an enrollment of 2,800, offering more than 35 academic programs and 7 different academic divisions. The school has experienced a 155% growth over the last nine years.
SUSLA is acredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school occupies 11 buildings on 103 acres in northwest Shreveport. SULSA recently acquired a new building in downtown Shreveport to expand its popular Allied Health Sciences and Nursing programs which have seen exponential growth.
Louisiana Technical Colleges
LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (NORTHWEST)
Northwest Louisiana Technical College offers more than fifty technical education programs at three campuses in Mansfield, Minden and Shreveport.
Popular programs include auto mechanics, airconditioning/heating, auto mechanics, nursing (LPN, Nurses Aides), carpentry, construction, and instrumentation technology. These and many other vocational and technical degree and certificate programs produce skilled workers for North Louisiana.