Best Colleges in Louisiana

Among the best colleges in Louisiana, Louisiana Tech University comes out on top, with Louisiana State University a close second. Whether you're looking for quality academics, top-notch sports, or great parties, Louisiana schools have it all. The energetic city of New Orleans is world famous for its lively music scene, historic French Quarter, eclectic cuisine marked by Creole and Cajun flavors, and iconic Mardi Gras celebrations.

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Studying in Louisiana

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Best Colleges in Louisiana

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20 of 21

#1 in Louisiana | #123 in National Universities

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana

Economic score 2.86

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,771

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,279

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 62%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#2 in Louisiana | #144 in National Universities

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Economic score 3.16

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $18,761

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $61,251

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#3 in Louisiana | #252 in National Universities
Economic score 4.34

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,813

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $46,769

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 57%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#4 in Louisiana | #308 in National Universities

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 5.47

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $20,712

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,927

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 61%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#5 in Louisiana
Economic score 5.48

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,540

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,021

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 52%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#6 in Louisiana | #310 in National Universities
Economic score 5.50

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $13,851

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,089

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 56%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#7 in Louisiana

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Economic score 5.53

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,330

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $45,454

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 49%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#8 in Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 5.65

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,977

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,184

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 52%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#9 in Louisiana | #112 in Liberal Arts

Centenary College of Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana

Economic score 6.04

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $22,729

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $50,330

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 56%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#10 in Louisiana | #341 in National Universities

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 6.72

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $45,582

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $63,268

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 86%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#11 in Louisiana | #153 in Liberal Arts

Dillard University

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 28.40

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $19,117

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $39,196

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 49%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 2.81

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,793

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,477

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 39%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 3.36

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $16,052

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $59,419

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 38%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

University of New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 3.85

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,352

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,872

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 48%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 4.56

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,340

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,700

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Economic score 4.87

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,768

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $46,453

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 46%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 4.94

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,251

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $42,205

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 40%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 5.13

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,387

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $46,482

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 45%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

University of Holy Cross

New Orleans, Louisiana

Economic score 6.71

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $18,173

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $49,316

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 42%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 12.88

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,701

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $43,371

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 38%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

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Average income based on education level

The following figures are the average salaries in Louisiana for each level of education.

Average Income

The average income of people in this state with a high-school diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, 10 years after enrollment, based on 2021-2022 CSC data.

HS Diploma $33,568
Certificate $44,541
Associate $38,783
Bachelor $57,619
Master $60,526

Cost of attending college in Louisiana

In-state-tuition $16,651

The average in-state tuition, before financial aid, of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.

Out-of-state-tuition $21,147

The average tuition for out-of-state students, before financial aid of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.

Most popular degrees in Louisiana

In Louisiana the most popular degrees are Business Administration, Registered Nursing, and General Psychology. To create this list, we complied and analyzed data from IPEDS and College Scorecard. 

They both provide information on how many graduates each program has annually. The list below is both undergraduate- and graduate-level programs.  

Fastest growing careers

Louisiana job growth 6%

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
71.4%
Nurse Practitioners
37.7%
Epidemiologists
33.3%
Occupational Therapy Assistants
29%
Statisticians
28.6%
Information Security Analysts
27.6%
Interpreters and Translators
25%
Physical Therapist Assistants
23.6%
Massage Therapists
22.7%
Medical and Health Services Managers
22.6%

Best bachelor’s degrees in Louisiana

These majors are most likely to pay off economically after graduation.

Best colleges for social mobility in Louisiana

Higher education is supposed to act as an economic elevator that lifts students from low-income households into the middle class. But not all colleges do this: unfortunately, many of the nation’s most “prestigious” schools accept very few students from low-income backgrounds. 

To determine what colleges are doing the best job at lifting students out of poverty, we have devised a Social Mobility Index (SMI).  

The best colleges for social mobility in Louisiana are shown below. 

Explore other states

Propel your career from anywhere.

Take our quiz to find the online degree that’s best for you. Compare hundreds of schools and apply to your dream college today.