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Average freshman ACT rises to 24.5 as total enrollment decreases slightly by three percent —

Louisiana Tech University has seen a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of its 2013 freshman class.

According to the university’s fall 2013 enrollment report released Thursday, the number of first-time freshman enrolled at Louisiana Tech grew by 18.7 percent with a total of 1,552 first-time students registered for the fall quarter.  This represents an increase in headcount of 245 over last year.

In addition to recruiting and enrolling more first-time freshman, Louisiana Tech is also attracting an academically stronger student as evidenced by an average freshman ACT score of 24.5 for the incoming class – the highest ever at Louisiana Tech and an increase over last year of four tenths of a point.  This is also the highest average freshman ACT score in the University of Louisiana System and far exceeds the state average of 19.5 and the national average of 20.9.

Of the 1,552 first-time students that comprise this year’s Louisiana Tech freshman class, 88 percent qualify for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), which is the second consecutive year that Louisiana Tech has reached this mark.

“The engagement and recruitment of first-time students to Louisiana Tech has been the cornerstone of our strategic focus over the past few years,” said Louisiana Tech President Les Guice.  “The growth we have seen in our freshman class and the quality of the students that we have enrolled at Louisiana Tech can be directly attributed to the commitment of every faculty and staff member on our campus.  They have embraced this campus-wide effort from the beginning and have shown what can be accomplished when we all work together in the interest of our students and our institution.”

Total enrollment for Louisiana Tech stands at 11,014 students, which is a decrease of 346 or three percent from last year.  The drop is largely the result of a decline in part-time, masters-level, lifelong learning students whose enrollment had been supported by external grants.

“We are so proud of the accomplishments of this year’s entering class,” said Pamela Ford, dean of enrollment management at Louisiana Tech.  “It proves that great students want to go to great universities. Good luck to the class of 2017 – we will be there with you every step of the way!”

Total undergraduate enrollment increased by 241 students, or 2.7 percent, to 9,215 while graduate enrollment declined by 587.  Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science saw the fall’s largest increase of 122 students (amongst those who have declared a major) followed by the College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, College of Applied and Natural Sciences, and College of Education.

The increase in enrollment was accompanied by an increase in the retention of students to Louisiana Tech, from the 2012 freshman cohort.  78.6 percent of new students in fall 2012 returned to Louisiana Tech, which is an increase of 1.4 percent over last year.  This also represents the highest freshman cohort retention rate in the University of Louisiana System.

“Louisiana Tech is poised for continued growth thanks to the success our faculty and staff have had in attracting the best and the brightest students to our university,” said Guice.