# Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 23 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-louisiana

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Louisiana ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When it comes to choosing a bachelor's program in Louisiana, prospective students have 23 schools to consider. Each of these institutions shares a commitment to providing quality education, but the outcomes for graduates can vary significantly. With average earnings across these programs sitting at about $48,510, it's clear that some paths lead to stronger financial futures than others.

The most successful schools in this ranking demonstrate higher graduation rates, better post-graduate earnings, and manageable debt levels. For instance, the standout schools not only excel in graduation rates but also provide pathways to financial stability after graduation. Below, you'll find a list that highlights these key metrics, helping you understand how each institution stacks up in terms of outcomes and mobility.

Take Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College: with earnings of $61,251 and a graduation rate of 70%, it clearly leads in both areas. In contrast, Louisiana State University-Shreveport has a much lower graduation rate of only 35% and earnings of $47,477. This stark difference emphasizes the importance of not just completing a degree, but also the potential earnings that can come from attending a program with a strong track record.

## Key Findings

- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn $61,251 on average.
- Tulane University has an impressive 88% graduation rate.
- Louisiana Tech University students graduate with an average debt of $22,135.
- The average graduation rate across these programs is only 48%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Louisiana Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-tech-university) | Ruston, LA | 61% | $52,279 | $11,864 | $22,135 | 0.42x |
| 2 | [Nicholls State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nicholls-state-university) | Thibodaux, LA | 54% | $45,454 | $12,947 | $22,675 | 0.5x |
| 3 | [McNeese State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcneese-state-university) | Lake Charles, LA | 49% | $46,453 | $12,493 | $23,000 | 0.5x |
| 4 | [University of New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-orleans) | New Orleans, LA | 40% | $47,872 | $12,384 | $18,750 | 0.39x |
| 5 | [University of Louisiana at Lafayette](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-louisiana-at-lafayette) | Lafayette, LA | 52% | $47,089 | $13,530 | $22,902 | 0.49x |
| 6 | [Southeastern Louisiana University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-louisiana-university) | Hammond, LA | 45% | $46,482 | $13,154 | $22,113 | 0.48x |
| 7 | [University of Louisiana at Monroe](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-louisiana-at-monroe) | Monroe, LA | 52% | $46,769 | $13,466 | $21,500 | 0.46x |
| 8 | [Xavier University of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/xavier-university-of-louisiana) | New Orleans, LA | 49% | $52,184 | $17,127 | $24,053 | 0.46x |
| 9 | [Loyola University New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loyola-university-new-orleans) | New Orleans, LA | 63% | $52,927 | $23,696 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 10 | [Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college) | Baton Rouge, LA | 70% | $61,251 | $19,151 | $20,500 | 0.33x |
| 11 | [Tulane University of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tulane-university-of-louisiana) | New Orleans, LA | 88% | $63,268 | $39,949 | $20,500 | 0.32x |
| 12 | [Centenary College of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centenary-college-of-louisiana) | Shreveport, LA | 58% | $50,330 | $23,624 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 13 | [New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-orleans-baptist-theological-seminary) | New Orleans, LA | 51% | N/A | $10,829 | N/A | N/A |
| 14 | [Louisiana State University-Shreveport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-shreveport) | Shreveport, LA | 35% | $47,477 | $7,022 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 15 | [Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franciscan-missionaries-of-our-lady-university) | Baton Rouge, LA | 49% | $59,419 | $18,552 | $27,672 | 0.47x |
| 16 | [Louisiana State University-Alexandria](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-alexandria) | Alexandria, LA | 35% | $42,205 | $7,065 | $19,000 | 0.45x |
| 17 | [Dillard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dillard-university) | New Orleans, LA | 44% | $39,196 | $22,094 | $31,000 | 0.79x |
| 18 | [Louisiana Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-christian-university) | Pineville, LA | 42% | $51,700 | $13,113 | $21,875 | 0.42x |
| 19 | [Northwestern State University of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana) | Natchitoches, LA | 44% | $47,021 | $13,606 | $25,000 | 0.53x |
| 20 | [Southern University at New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-university-at-new-orleans) | New Orleans, LA | 16% | $34,042 | $14,810 | $31,000 | 0.91x |
| 21 | [Grambling State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grambling-state-university) | Grambling, LA | 34% | $41,109 | $19,809 | $36,500 | 0.89x |
| 22 | [Southern University and A & M College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-university-and-a-m-college) | Baton Rouge, LA | 28% | $43,371 | $20,077 | $29,251 | 0.67x |
| 23 | [University of Holy Cross](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-holy-cross) | New Orleans, LA | 42% | $49,316 | $15,635 | $26,995 | 0.55x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-louisiana

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.