Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College logo

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#6 Best Education Colleges in Louisiana
Public Baton Rouge, LA · Urban · Southeast · 100% data
A- Earnings B- Graduation C+ Value
Graduation Rate
70% B-
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$61,251 A-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$19,151 C-
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
73% C+
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +50% vs avg
Graduation +22% vs avg
Net Price 12% vs avg

Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in Louisiana.

21.1× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,542,573.

What The Data Says

  1. A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $21.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

Why Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Matters

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a public research university in Baton Rouge, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public Research University
Carnegie Class
R1 · Very High Research
Enrollment
30,594
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Engineering, Education, Biology & Biomedical

Why students choose Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Top-tier research university
R1 status: undergraduates work alongside leading researchers
Influential alumni network
High cross-class social capital and reach

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C+
Top 35% overall
A-
Earnings
$61,251 median
C+
Value
3.2× net price
C-
Affordability
$19,151/yr net
B-
Graduation
70% graduate
C+
Selectivity
73% admit rate
C+
Diversity
0.61 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With nearly 31,000 students, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge offers a vibrant college experience that appeals to a diverse range of learners. It's a solid choice for those interested in fields like Business, Engineering, and Education, among others. What stands out here is the acceptance rate of 73%, making it accessible for many students eager to pursue their passions in a supportive environment.

After graduation, students can expect to earn a median salary of about $61,251 after ten years, which is a strong indicator of the school's effectiveness in preparing graduates for the workforce. This financial outcome is particularly encouraging for those considering the investment in education here. The affordability is also noteworthy, as the net price sits at $19,151, making it a more manageable option for students and families.

When it comes to financial considerations, students who thrive at LSU tend to navigate their education with a median debt of $20,500. With 27% of students receiving Pell Grants, there's a commitment to supporting those who need it most. Overall, if you’re looking for a place where you can dive into your studies with a solid chance of post-graduate success, LSU could be a great fit.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,285. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.

Acceptance Rate
73%
Retention Rate
85%
SAT Average
1285
ACT Midpoint
26
SAT Range
1180–1340
ACT Range
24–30
Full-Time Faculty
88%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$11,474
Student–Faculty Ratio
22:1
Diversity Index
0.61
First-Gen Students
27%
Applicants
38,853
Admitted
29,419

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 and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $28,631, 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 $19,151. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,056 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$11,954
Out-of-State
$28,631
Avg Net Price
$19,151
Median Debt
$20,500
Pell Grant Rate
27%
Federal Loan Rate
30%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$13,056
Family Income $30K–$48K
$15,696
Family Income $48K–$75K
$20,223
Family Income $110K+
$26,489

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College earn a median of $61,251, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$49,218
8 Years
$54,621
10 Years
$61,251
Debt-to-Earnings
0.33x
Earning > $25K
74%

Earnings Trajectory

$49,218 6yr $54,621 8yr $61,251 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (2,227)
39%
100% (2,227)
39%
100% (2,227)
39%
100% (2,227)
39%

How Louisiana Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation70%Earnings 10yr$61KNet Price$19KRetention85%Median Debt$21KPell Grant Rate27%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$13K$0-30K$16K$30-48K$20K$48-75K$26K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,151/year ($76,604 total). Graduates earn $61,251 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,619,177 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,542,573 (21.1× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$76,604
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,619,177
Net Return
$1,542,573
ROI Multiple
21.1×
Cost Per Year
$19,151
Median Debt
$20,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
70%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

How Connected Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Economic Connectedness
1.33
Cross-class friendships
Friending Bias
0.09
Lower = more inclusive
Volunteering Rate
4.5%
Support Ratio
0.99
Community support

Research Note

267%
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=1,503). Quartile comparison of mean bottom-quintile success rate, split by economic connectedness (Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas × Mobility Report Card).

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$462,668

Top Programs

The fields Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,285. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $28,631, 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 $19,151. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,056 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.

Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College earn a median of $61,251, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

How Connected Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys