University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) is a public research university in Lafayette, Louisiana, and the largest institution in the University of Louisiana System. Founded in 1898 as Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, it later became the University of Southwestern Louisiana and adopted its current name in 1999. The university is known for strengths in engineering, computer science, biology, nursing, business, and the arts, as well as for its Cajun and Creole cultural setting in Acadiana. UL Lafayette has grown into a major research institution with Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) status, supporting work in areas such as computing, energy, coastal and environmental science, and health-related fields. Students have access to extensive academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels, Division I athletics (the Ragin' Cajuns), and a campus community closely tied to the city of Lafayette.