Grambling State University
#5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Louisiana- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,109 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $19,809 C-
- 16% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 45% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 21.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Louisiana.
Every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,639,480.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 34% — 40% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 4.62% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Grambling State University Matters
Grambling State University is a public university in Grambling, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,164
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose Grambling State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 45% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 920–1080. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,809 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,109 ten years after enrolling — 1% above the typical college, against $36,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 3% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Grambling State University is a solid choice for students who are looking for a supportive environment where they can explore diverse fields like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Biology & Biomedical, Humanities, and Education. With an enrollment of about 4,164 students and an acceptance rate of 45%, it strikes a balance between accessibility and community. This school is particularly well-suited for those who thrive in a smaller, more intimate setting while still having access to a variety of academic programs.
Life after graduation looks promising for Grambling State students. Graduates earn an average of $41,109 within ten years of completing their degrees. This financial outlook can be particularly meaningful for those who are mindful of their future earning potential. The affordability of education here plays a critical role too, especially considering that 75% of students receive Pell Grants, which can significantly ease the financial burden.
When it comes to the bottom line, the net price for attending Grambling State University is around $19,809 after aid, which is relatively manageable. However, it's important to note that the median debt for graduates stands at $36,500. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value community support, seek a hands-on educational experience, and are committed to their fields of study.
Rankings
- #5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Louisiana
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Louisiana
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #9 Best Data Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #16 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
- #18 Best Business Colleges in Louisiana
- #20 Best Colleges in Louisiana
- #20 Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice
Can I Get In?
How selective Grambling State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Grambling State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 943. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- SAT Average
- 943
- ACT Midpoint
- 17
- SAT Range
- 920–1080
- ACT Range
- 15–19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,296
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 25:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.23
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 10,732
- Admitted
- 4,547
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Grambling State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Grambling State University is $16,706, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,809. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,666 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $36,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,683
- Out-of-State
- $16,706
- Avg Net Price
- $19,809
- Median Debt
- $36,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 75%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 78%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,666
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,007
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,743
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,310
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Grambling State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Grambling State University report median earnings of $41,109, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $25,589
- 8 Years
- $29,689
- 10 Years
- $41,109
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.89x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (62)
- 16%
- 100% (62)
- 16%
- 100% (62)
- 16%
- 100% (62)
- 16%
How Grambling Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Grambling State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Grambling State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,809/year ($79,236 total). Graduates earn $41,109 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,718,716 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,639,480 (21.7× your investment). The median debt is $36,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $79,236
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,718,716
- Net Return
- $1,639,480
- ROI Multiple
- 21.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,809
- Median Debt
- $36,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Grambling State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Grambling State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.62%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 34.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $34,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 4.62%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 34.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $34,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $8,181,377
- Federal Grants
- $8,143,397
- Investment Income
- $-1,590,090
Top Programs
The fields Grambling State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 16%
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- Education 8%
- Humanities 8%
- Psychology 7%
- Computer Science & IT 6%
- Communications 6%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Grambling State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Grambling State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 943. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Grambling State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Grambling State University is $16,706, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,809. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,666 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $36,500 in federal student loans.
Is Grambling State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Grambling State University report median earnings of $41,109, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Grambling State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Grambling State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.62%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 34.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $34,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Grambling State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Grambling State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Grambling State University.
- Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton Rouge, LA · Close peer28% grad $43,371 earn 35% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Alabama A & M UniversityNormal, AL · Close peer26% grad $40,628 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Close peer56% grad $44,498 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Delaware State UniversityDover, DE · Close peer39% grad $49,307 earn 47% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Point UniversityWest Point, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,740 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, NC · Close peer34% grad $42,680 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Grambling State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Grambling State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note