Ruston is a small college town in north Louisiana, on Interstate 20 between Shreveport and Monroe. Louisiana Tech, founded in 1894, is its public university and is best known for engineering, computer science and cyber engineering. It runs on quarters rather than semesters, so terms move fast. Aviation, forestry and business round out the main options.
Ruston, Louisiana, United States
Official website: latech.edu
1894
Public research university
Quarter system
Engineering and cyber engineering
$20,000 – $28,000
International students, tuition and fees
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on latech.edu before you apply.
BS Cyber Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Dec, Mar
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Dec, Mar
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Dec, Mar
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Dec, Mar
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BS Professional Aviation
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
One of the first cyber engineering degrees in the US.
A quarter calendar with several start dates.
Flight training from Ruston's airport.
Engineering and computing graduates work across Louisiana, Texas and the South.
The Cyber Innovation Center and Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City recruit graduates.
STEM graduates can work in the US on OPT for up to three years.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
Campus is compact and walkable, with the engineering buildings and residence halls a short walk from downtown Ruston's shops and cafes.
Living costs are low. The town hosts a peach festival every summer, and Shreveport is about an hour west on I-20.
Form I-20 issued by Louisiana Tech University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Louisiana Tech reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply at least three to four months before the quarter starts to allow time for the I-20 and visa.
The academic year has fall, winter and spring quarters plus summer. Most new students start in fall, but graduate students can often begin in winter or spring.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Louisiana Tech University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Cyber engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering and aviation are popular. Graduate programmes need a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79; some ask for the GRE.
The university offers some scholarships and tuition awards to international students, and graduate assistantships are available in many departments.
