If you are researching the required ACT score for LSU, here is the most important thing to understand upfront: LSU has just reinstated its standardized testing requirement after going test-optional in 2018. That means your ACT score matters again, and knowing exactly what range you need to be competitive is essential before you apply.

Here is the full picture.

LSU ACT Score Requirements at a Glance

Does LSU Require the ACT?

Yes. As of February 2026, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted to reinstate the ACT and SAT submission requirement for applicants to its Baton Rouge campus. The requirement currently applies to students with GPAs below 3.5, and will expand to all applicants starting with the summer 2028 semester.

Importantly, LSU does not require a minimum score to be admitted. Test scores are one part of a holistic admissions process that also considers GPA, coursework rigor, personal essays, and extracurricular activities. But submitting a strong score significantly improves your position.

What Is the ACT Score Needed for LSU?

The LSU ACT score data breaks down like this:

• Average ACT score: 27
• 25th percentile: 24 (below this range puts you at a disadvantage)
• 75th percentile: 30 (above this range makes you a strong candidate)
• Average GPA of admitted students: 3.83
• Acceptance rate: 73.3%

In practical terms, a score of 24 is the floor you want to stay above. A score of 27 or higher puts you right at the average. A score of 30 or above puts you well ahead of the majority of admitted students.

What ACT Score Is Competitive for LSU?

LSU is not a highly selective school. Its acceptance rate of 73.3% means most applicants who meet the basic academic profile are admitted. But “not selective” does not mean “take it for granted.” Here is how to read your score in the context of LSU admissions.

Score of 24 or below: You are at or below the 25th percentile. Admission is still possible but your GPA, essays, and other application components need to be strong to compensate.

Score of 25 to 27: You are within the middle range of admitted students. This is a solid position. Your application is competitive on the test score dimension and the rest of your file will determine the outcome.

Score of 28 to 30: You are at or above the average. Your ACT score is a strength in your application and will not raise any concerns in the review process.

Score of 30 and above: You are in the top quarter of admitted students. At this level your score actively strengthens your application and may open the door to merit scholarship consideration.

Why LSU Reinstated the ACT Requirement

LSU’s decision to bring back standardized testing came directly from its own retention and performance data. According to the university, students admitted as test-optional applicants from 2021 to 2024 had retention rates approximately 4% lower than students who submitted test scores. Their GPAs were also 0.3 points lower on average.

That data point matters for you as an applicant because it confirms what LSU is now communicating clearly: test scores are a genuine signal of college readiness. Submitting a strong score does not just check a box. It puts you in the category of students the data shows are more likely to persist and succeed.

How the ACT Score Fits Into LSU’s Holistic Process

LSU’s interim Provost confirmed that test scores will be one part of a comprehensive admissions review, not the only deciding factor. The university has also stated that scores will be used to place students into the right classes when needed, not just as a gatekeeping tool.

What this means for applicants:

• A strong score strengthens an already competitive application
• A lower score does not automatically disqualify you, but it adds pressure on the rest of your file
• A score above 27 removes any concern about your academic readiness and lets your other application components carry weight on their own merits

ACT Score Requirements for LSU Compared to Similar Schools

To put the ACT score required for LSU in context, here is how it compares to schools at a similar level of selectivity:

• Auburn University — Average ACT: 27 (same level as LSU)
• University of Alabama — Average ACT: 26
• University of Cincinnati — Average ACT: 27
• Temple University — Average ACT: 28
• University of Texas at Dallas — Average ACT: 28

If you are scoring at or above a 27, you are competitive not just for LSU but for a solid range of similarly selective universities. If you are targeting more selective schools alongside LSU, a score of 30 or above will make you competitive across the board.

How to Get the ACT Score You Need for LSU

If your current score is below 24 or you are aiming to push it to 27 or higher before applying, the path is straightforward: targeted preparation focused on the specific sections and question types that are costing you points.

The students who improve their ACT scores enough to cross meaningful thresholds share a consistent approach:

• They started with a diagnostic baseline that showed them exactly where their points were going
• They focused preparation time on their weakest sections rather than reviewing what they already knew
• They practiced with full timed tests to build the pacing habits that prevent avoidable errors
• They reviewed every mistake before moving on and used that analysis to drive the next session
• They tracked progress over time so improvement was measurable, not assumed

That approach works regardless of where you are starting. A student at a 22 can realistically reach a 26 or 27 with structured preparation over several weeks. A student at a 26 can push to a 29 or 30 with targeted work on two or three specific weak areas.

How ScoreSmart Can Help You Hit Your LSU Target

If LSU is on your list and your ACT score is not where it needs to be yet, ScoreSmart’s digital ACT test prep is built around exactly the kind of preparation that moves scores. Rather than giving you a generic study plan, ScoreSmart shows you precisely which sections and question types are costing you the most points and builds your preparation around closing those specific gaps.

Whether you need to cross the 24 threshold to strengthen your application or push from a 27 to a 30 to stand out, the analytics ScoreSmart provides give you a clear, specific path to improve your ACT score before your application deadline.

Your target score is reachable. The question is whether your preparation is built to get you there.

The Bottom Line

Here is what every LSU applicant needs to know about the LSU ACT scores requirement:

• LSU now requires ACT or SAT scores for applicants with GPAs below 3.5, expanding to all applicants in summer 2028
• The average ACT score for admitted students is 27
• The competitive range is 24 to 30, with 24 as the floor and 30 putting you in the top quarter
• There is no minimum score required for admission, but scores below 24 put added pressure on the rest of your application
• Retention and GPA data confirm that students who submit test scores perform better academically at LSU, which is exactly why the requirement was reinstated

A score of 27 or above puts you in a strong position. A score of 30 or above makes your ACT a genuine asset. Get there with the right preparation and your path to LSU gets significantly clearer.