Grambling State University College Portrait
Grambling State University403 Main Street Grambling, LA 71245
(318) 274-6182
Grambling State University
Grambling State University strives to be true to its motto: “where everybody is somebody."
Grambling State University was founded in 1901. The University is located in Lincoln Parish and sits in the heart of Grambling, Louisiana. The campus occupies 433 acres with 101 buildings. The current student enrollment is over 5,200. In fall 2012, approximately 86 percent of the student body was African-American, 38 percent were males, and 62 percent of first-time degree-seeking students classified as Louisiana residents. The campus is primarily residential.
The University implements selective admissions requirements. The Fall 2012 criteria for first-time freshmen required the student to have completed specific high school courses (19 units from Core 4 Curriculum), to have obtained a minimum 2.00 overall GPA (on a 4.00 scale), and to need no more than one developmental course. Additionally, the student must meet one of the following: a minimum 2.00 Core GPA or an ACT Composite of 20/SAT (reading and math combined) of 940.
In Fall 2012, 219 full-time faculty supported the academic programs. Thirty (30) percent of the faculty is classified as non-black and 48 percent female.
Grambling State University is a comprehensive institution offering baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs. As a component of its mission, the University seeks to provide opportunities for students to develop intellectually and to acquire appropriate career skills through instruction, research, public service, and special programs. The academic programs are designed to meet the needs of all students enrolled, including those who may have been adversely affected by educational, social and/or economic deprivation.
The Division of Academic Affairs at Grambling State consists of four colleges- Arts & Sciences, Education, Business, and Professional Studies, and the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Since 1949, Grambling State University has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The University has academic programs that are accredited by the following bodies: the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the National Association of Schools of Music, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Council on Social Work Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National League For Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc., the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communications, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration, and the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training. One hundred percent of programs identified by the Board of Regents as mandated for accreditation by specialty associations are accredited.
Living in the GSU Community
Grambling State University is located in Lincoln Parish and sits in the heart of Grambling, Louisiana.
Grambling State University is located in Grambling, LA. The town of Grambling has a population of 4,953. The closest city to the University is Ruston, which is five miles east of Grambling. Ruston's population is 21,895. Airports in Monroe (40 miles east on Interstate 20) and Shreveport (65 miles west on Interstate 20) provide easy access to the University. In addition, a passenger bus service is located across the street from the campus. The University provides shuttle transportation to and from the airports and other local places.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2011?
| Total Students | 5,207 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 4,461 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 2,684 | 60% |
| Men | 1,777 | 40% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 8 | <1% |
| Asian | 8 | <1% |
| African American / Black | 3,874 | 87% |
| Hispanic | 46 | 1% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 3 | <1% |
| White | 72 | 2% |
| Two or More Races | 26 | 1% |
| International | 350 | 8% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 74 | 2% |
| Where do GRAM undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | 56% |
| Other US States & Territories | 36% |
| Other Countries | 8% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are GRAM undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 22 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 16% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2011)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 16 - 20 | |
| Math | 16 - 19 | 390 - 480 |
| English | 15 - 20 | |
| Critical Reading | 370 - 450 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 21% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 48% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 80% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 2.85 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 97% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $18,976.00
The cost to attend Grambling State University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 64% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $12,920.00. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 61% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $8,765.00. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
GRAM Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 19 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 67% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 92% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 229 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 49% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 68% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 62% |
Campus-based Housing
52% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
95% of all undergraduates live on campus
Campus Safety
Grambling State University's Campus Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment and enhancing the quality of life on campus by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the constitution to enforce laws, preserve peace, and reduce fear.
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- Very high undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, inclusive
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Single doctoral (education)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at GRAM
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is one resource used at Grambling State University to measure the extent to which students engage in effective educational practices that are linked with learning, personal development, satisfaction, persistence, and graduation. Administered to first-year freshman and senior students in 2010, the survey results are used to inform faculty, administrators, staff and students about the nature and quality of students’ undergraduate experiences.
Results of the survey are divided into five Benchmarks of Effective Educational Practices- Level of Academic Challenge; Active and Collaborative Learning; Student-Faculty Interaction; Enriching Educational Experiences; and Supportive Campus Environment.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 97% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 67% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 39% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 78% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 26% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 50% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 74% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 15% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 97% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 92% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 58% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 65% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 97% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 54% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 77% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 83% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 76% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 91% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 56% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 70% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 76% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 85% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Grambling State University in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 35 |
| Bachelor's | 695 |
| Master's | 174 |
| Doctoral | 2 |
| Total | 906 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 14% |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 10% |
| Business Administration and Management, General | 8% |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 8% |
| Information Science/Studies | 7% |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 58% four-year success and progress rate means that 58% of students starting in Fall 2005 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2005 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,137 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 184 Full-Time Transfer Students
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2010 that returned for their second year: 68%
Student Learning at Grambling State University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.