Louisiana State University-Alexandria
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in LouisianaBottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 34.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $34.5 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana.
Every $1 spent returns $34.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $946,771.
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What The Data Says
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
Graduation of 35% — 39% below the national average.
Every $1 invested returns $34.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Louisiana State University-Alexandria Matters
Louisiana State University-Alexandria is a public college in Alexandria, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 5,632
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Louisiana State University-Alexandria
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
Accessible — admits about 92% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 970–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $7,065 a year after grants and scholarships — 59% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,205 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $19,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.12 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Louisiana State University-Alexandria could be a solid fit for students looking for a more accessible college experience. With an acceptance rate of 92%, it welcomes a diverse range of applicants. Many students pursue majors in areas like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Psychology, which can lead to practical career paths. The smaller enrollment of around 5,600 allows for a more personalized environment, fostering closer relationships between students and faculty.
When we look at what happens after graduation, the earnings data tells a promising story. Graduates see an average income of $42,205 within ten years of finishing their degrees. This can be especially significant when considering the affordability of attending. The net price for students after aid is about $7,065, which keeps financial barriers relatively low. This combination of reasonable earnings and costs suggests that students who graduate are likely to find their footing in the job market.
On the practical side, students tend to manage their debt fairly well here, with a median debt of $19,000. That number is manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The fact that 35% of students receive Pell Grants indicates a commitment to supporting those in need. This might resonate with individuals who are motivated to succeed despite financial constraints. Overall, LSU-Alexandria cultivates an environment where students can thrive, particularly those who appreciate a strong sense of community and a focus on practical, career-oriented fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Louisiana State University-Alexandria is — and how your numbers stack up.
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Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Alexandria, Louisiana, Louisiana State University-Alexandria keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 92% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,022. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 35%.
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 Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending Louisiana State University-Alexandria, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $14,650 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $7,065 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,008 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $19,000.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Louisiana State University-Alexandria Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Louisiana State University-Alexandria report median earnings of $42,205; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How Louisiana Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Louisiana State University-Alexandria Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Louisiana State University-Alexandria delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,065/year ($28,260 total). Graduates earn $42,205 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $975,031 in total earnings — a net gain of $946,771 (34.5× your investment). The median debt is $19,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 35% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Louisiana State University-Alexandria 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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Louisiana State University-Alexandria's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Based in Alexandria, Louisiana, Louisiana State University-Alexandria keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 92% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,022. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 35%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Louisiana State University-Alexandria, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $14,650 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $7,065 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,008 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $19,000.
Is Louisiana State University-Alexandria Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Louisiana State University-Alexandria report median earnings of $42,205; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
How Connected Is Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs above average at Louisiana State University-Alexandria, with an economic connectedness score of 1.12 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Louisiana State University-Alexandria.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Louisiana State University-Alexandria? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs above average at Louisiana State University-Alexandria, with an economic connectedness score of 1.12 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note