What Is the UL System and Which Universities Are Part of It?

The UL System (University of Louisiana System) is one of Louisiana's public university systems, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is one of its member institutions. If you are trying to understand how ULM relates to a larger state system, or you want to find system-level policies and a list of member schools, the UL System is the body to look at — while day-to-day matters like admissions, tuition, and degree programs are handled by each individual campus such as ULM.

What the UL System Is

The University of Louisiana System is a public higher education system in the state of Louisiana. It oversees multiple member universities, each of which operates as its own accredited institution. ULM describes itself as "an accredited university offering graduate and undergraduate degrees," with degree programs offered by its four Colleges and the Graduate School. That campus-level structure sits inside the broader UL System framework.

A useful way to think about it: the system provides coordination and governance across its members, but it is not the entity you apply to. You apply to a specific university.

UL System vs. Other Louisiana Systems

Louisiana has more than one public university system. The UL System is distinct from the LSU System and the Southern University System, among others. Each system manages its own set of member campuses.

If your question is "which system is ULM in?", the answer is the UL System — not the LSU System or the Southern University System.

How ULM Fits In

ULM is a member institution of the UL System. In practice, this means:

• The system level handles coordination across member universities and system-wide policy.
• The campus level (ULM) handles admissions, financial aid, academic programs, campus tours, and the schedule of classes.

On ULM's own site, the admissions path is campus-run: "Application and Admissions Information," "APPLY NOW," "FINANCIAL AID," and "SCHEDULE A TOUR" all point to ULM's own admissions resources (ulm.edu/admissions). ULM also publishes campus-specific items like its Schedule of Classes, Important Dates (finals, application for degree, deadlines), and campus crime statistics and security policy.

So when you are researching ULM, treat the UL System as the parent system and ULM as the school you actually deal with for applying and enrolling.

How to Find Member Schools and System Information

To look up UL System members and system-level information, use the UL System's official website rather than a single campus site. For campus-specific details, go directly to the member university — for ULM, that is ulm.edu.

A practical split for your search:

• System-level questions (which universities belong, system policies): UL System official site.
• Campus-level questions (how to apply, tuition, degrees, tours, deadlines): the individual university's site, e.g., ulm.edu/admissions for ULM.

Common Points of Confusion

• "UL System" vs. "ULM": The system is the umbrella; ULM is one member campus. Applying to ULM is not the same as applying "to the UL System."
• "UL" naming: The "UL" in UL System refers to the University of Louisiana system name, not to a single campus. ULM's own name — University of Louisiana at Monroe — reflects its place within that system.
• Accreditation and degrees: ULM states it is an accredited university offering graduate and undergraduate degrees through its four Colleges and the Graduate School. Degree-granting happens at the campus level, not the system level.

If you need current program offerings, application steps, or deadlines, check ULM's admissions page directly, since those details are maintained by the campus and can change.