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.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
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.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
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.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
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.
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 rate62%
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.
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 rate70%
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.
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 rate57%
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.
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 rate61%
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.
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 rate52%
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.
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 rate56%
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.
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 rate49%
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.
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 rate52%
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.
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 rate56%
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.
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 rate86%
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.
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 rate49%
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.
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 rate39%
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.
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 rate38%
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.
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 rate48%
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.
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 rate35%
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.
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 rate46%
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.
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 rate40%
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.
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 rate45%
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.
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 rate42%
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.
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 rate38%
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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us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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.
Popular degrees
1Business Administration 5,216graduates
2Registered Nursing 2,355graduates
3General Psychology 1,702graduates
4Biology 1,531graduates
5Liberal Arts and Sciences 1,030graduates
6Social Work 967graduates
7Comms & Media Studies 811graduates
8Finance 801graduates
9Accounting 801graduates
10Criminal Justice 764graduates
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.
Program NamesEconomic Score
1Pharmaceutical Sciences 0.52
2Industrial Engineering 1.35
3Veterinary Medicine 1.43
4Air Transportation 1.45
5Mechanical Engineering 1.45
6Engineering-Related Technologies 1.49
7Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians 1.74
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.
Bachelor's degree holders or higher
24.8%
Filters
Louisiana
6%
