Louisiana State University (Corps of Cadets)
Baton Rouge, LA
The Verdict
LSU's Corps of Cadets traces its roots to 1860 when William Tecumseh Sherman founded the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy—earning the university the nickname "Ole War Skule." During World War II, LSU ranked among the top four institutions nationally for producing military officers, alongside Texas A&M, West Point, and Annapolis, with over 5,000 alumni serving as officers including 16 generals.
In 2024, LSU was formally welcomed as an AMCSUS member institution, reactivating its historic Corps of Cadets with both traditional ROTC commissioning tracks and a new civilian leadership pathway fully integrated with the university's dynamic cyber program—preparing students for careers in national security, intelligence, and cybersecurity without military service obligations.
About
A historic Corps of Cadets program integrated within LSU, focusing on leadership development.
Tuition & Costs
2025-2026 RatesIn-State
$24,851
Out-of-State
$41,535
Endowment
$1.14 billion (system-wide)
*Standard LSU tuition + Corps fees; housing/meals included in estimate. Resident tuition for 15 hours is $12,313/year. Non-resident tuition is $28,997/year. Housing is ~$7,700/year and meals are ~$4,838/year.
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
open
Key Requirements
- Admission to Louisiana State University
- Physical fitness standards for ROTC track
- Commitment to leadership development
- Interview with cadre (recommended)
- Medical qualification (for ROTC scholarship candidates)
Admitted Student Profile
74%
Acceptance Rate
3.50
Avg GPA
1200
Avg SAT
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
2,000 acres
Housing
Dormitory
Enrollment
32,574
Student:Teacher
20:1
Campus Life
Housing Type
dorm
Daily Schedule
Cadets follow the LSU academic calendar with additional ROTC requirements. Physical training sessions occur Tuesdays and Thursdays from 0545-0700. Weekly leadership labs, drill periods, and field training exercises supplement classroom instruction. The newly renovated Emerging Technologies Center will accommodate up to 700 cadets in a 65,000-square-foot facility near LSU's Digital Media Center and cybersecurity programs.
Discipline Model
ROTC cadet chain of command structure with upperclass cadets mentoring underclassmen. Cadets develop leadership through progressive responsibility—from team member to squad leader to platoon leader and company commander. Standards are enforced through the Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC frameworks depending on commissioning source.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
N/A (undergraduate program)
Where Graduates Go
Students can cross-enroll in Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC (Det 310 'Flying Tigers'), or Navy ROTC (through Southern University's Red Stick Battalion) to earn commissions
Hall of Fame
Claire Lee Chennault
Major General, legendary commander of the Flying Tigers (1st American Volunteer Group) in WWII China
Joseph Lawton Collins
General, Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the Korean War
Troy Middleton
Lieutenant General, commanded VIII Corps during WWII; held Bastogne during Battle of the Bulge; later LSU President
Thomas G. Rhame
Major General, led 1st Infantry Division during Operation Desert Storm; Distinguished Service Medal recipient
Gary 'Mike' Jones
Brigadier General (Ret.), Commander of U.S. Special Forces Command and Special Operations Command Europe
Terry L. Gabreski
Brigadier General, highest-ranking woman in United States Air Force history at time of service
Jeffrey W. Talley
Lieutenant General, 32nd Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of U.S. Army Reserve Command
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
Physical training is conducted Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 0545-0700 and includes calisthenics, running, and strength exercises. Cadets must meet branch-specific fitness standards: Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), or Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT). A 94% fitness score is competitive for selection during the sophomore year evaluation.
Facilities
LSU's 2,000-acre campus features Tiger Stadium (Death Valley), Alex Box Stadium for baseball, Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Bernie Moore Track Stadium, LSU Natatorium, and extensive athletic training facilities. The Emerging Technologies Center near the Digital Media Center will serve as the Corps of Cadets headquarters. Historic Sherman cannons—captured Confederate artillery donated by General Sherman himself—are displayed at the Military Science Building.
External Ratings
We don't collect or moderate reviews. Links point to trusted third-party sources.
Federal Outcomes Data
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
68%
Graduation Rate
84%
Retention Rate
(1st to 2nd year)
$61,251
Median Earnings
(10 years after entry)
$20,015
Avg. Net Cost
(after financial aid)
$7,573
Avg. Grant
(institutional aid)
44% / 56%
Male / Female
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2026-01)
View on College ScorecardOfficial Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
NCES consumer portal with costs, programs, and retention data
Comprehensive institutional data from the IPEDS survey
Department of Education outcomes and cost data
Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
Photo Gallery
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Guides & Resources
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To the Future Cadet: A Letter from the Old Corps
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The Cadet Readiness Checklist: Is Your Child Actually Ready?
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A parent's guide to Youth Challenge programs—free residential programs for at-risk teens ages 16-18 run by the National Guard.