Lovely Professional University (LPU) has grown significantly since its early years, expanding from about 280 students in 2001 to 35,676 students in 2025. The university, based in Phagwara, Punjab, has also developed a much broader national and international student base.
According to enrolment data, students from Punjab accounted for 11.8% of LPU’s total student population in 2021. By 2025, that share had fallen to 8.8%, while students from other Indian states made up 86.5% of enrolment.
Academic and Placement Expansion
LPU now offers more than 150 programmes across over 40 disciplines. Undergraduate courses remain its largest segment, with 23,367 students enrolled in four-year programmes during 2023-24.
Its position in university rankings has also changed over time. In the NIRF University category, LPU moved from 62nd in 2021 to 27th in 2024 before ranking 31st in 2025.
Placement figures reported to NIRF show that the number of students placed from four-year undergraduate programmes increased from 2,450 in 2019-20 to 4,417 in 2023-24. The median salary rose from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 7.4 lakh annually during the same period.
Marketing and Student Experience
LPU’s expansion has also been linked to extensive advertising and scholarship-led admissions. Earlier studies documented substantial spending on television, radio, newspapers, internet and outdoor advertising.
Former students have described the university as offering relatively affordable options after scholarships, while others have raised concerns about strict campus rules and restrictions on student communication.
The university is currently facing scrutiny following protests linked to allegations involving a female student. LPU has denied the allegations, calling them false and fabricated, while police have formed an SIT to investigate the matter.
