Enrollment continues upward trend across Southern University System
The Southern University System’s most recent data reported to the Louisiana Board of Regents reflects a 4 percent increase in enrollment for the fall 2025 semester. Across Southern’s four degree-granting campuses — Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University Law Center, and Southern University at Shreveport — there are more than 14,000 students enrolled. This figure includes a 15 percent increase in first-time freshmen. These are preliminary enrollment numbers; final verified figures will be presented after the close of the fall 2025 semester.
“The continued growth of enrollment across our campuses is proof that Southern University continues its mission of providing an accessible, relevant educational experience,” said Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System. “Students continue to choose Southern because they see a place where they can belong and where they can flourish, ultimately impacting their communities in a positive way.”
Southern’s campuses, including the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, provide several wraparound services for students to support them on their respective academic journeys. This includes physical and mental wellness clinics, tutoring, alumni engagement, career-readiness, and a variety of student life activities.
In-demand academic programs are examined and added across the System. Recently, Southern University and A&M College launched a digital media arts program, and Southern University at New Orleans reinstated its evening and weekend program. Accolades are also plentiful, including the Southern University Law Center’s recent unprecedented first-time bar passage rate of 75 percent.
Louisiana remains the top state of residence for students across the Southern University System. Following are Texas, California, Georgia, Mississippi and Illinois. The top selected majors are nursing, business, social work, criminal justice, psychology and biology.
“This increase in enrollment is not only a testament to the hard work of our dedicated faculty, staff, and alumni, but it is also a call to action to continue to expand our investment in the services and facilities that contribute to student enrollment, retention, and successful matriculation,” Shields said.
This investment is apparent across the campuses as construction and deferred maintenance projects are plentiful. In Baton Rouge, construction continues on a $68M STEM complex, public safety building, outdoor classroom and amphitheater, and global innovation and welcome center. The Shreveport campus has broken ground on a new health, physical, and recreation complex, and the New Orleans campus has broken ground on a new building for its nursing school.
Preliminary enrollment data per campus for fall 2025 submitted to the Board of Regents in September is as follows:
Southern University and A&M College: 7,660
First-Time Freshmen: 1,967 (17.5 percent increase)
Southern University at New Orleans: 2,459
First-Time Freshmen: 190 (15.9 percent increase)
Southern University Shreveport: 3,136
First-Time Freshmen: 330 (6.1 percent increase)
Southern University Law Center: 809
System Total: 14,064
Enrollment data is reported each academic year to the Louisiana Board of Regents. For full reports, go to laregents.edu. Please note that Board of Regents reports combine headcounts of Southern University and A&M College and Southern University Law Center.