Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
- 19
- Schools
- $48,225
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,048
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,645
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 19 schools run from $34,042 to $63,268, a 1.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Louisiana State University-Shreveport delivers the most for the money: roughly $47,477 in median earnings against $7,022 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Louisiana State University-Shreveport ($7,022 net price), still posts $47,477 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Tulane University of Louisiana graduates 88% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Tulane University of Louisiana carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.32× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Xavier University of Louisiana ($52,184 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Tulane University of Louisiana ($63,268), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Louisiana State University-Shreveport costs $7,022 a year and Tulane University of Louisiana costs $39,949. Yet their graduates earn $47,477 and $63,268, nowhere near the $32,927 price gap.
- On value, Louisiana State University-Shreveport beats Tulane University of Louisiana: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Tulane University of Louisiana. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $47K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Xavier University of Louisiana #1 overall | $52,184 ▲ +8% vs avg | $17,127 | 49% | 80 |
| 2 Centenary College of Louisiana #2 overall | $50,330 ▲ +4% vs avg | $23,624 | 58% | 74 |
| 3 University of New Orleans #3 overall | $47,872 ▼ -1% vs avg | $12,384 | 40% | 73 |
| $52,279 ▲ +8% vs avg | $11,864 | 61% | 72 | |
| $45,454 ▼ -6% vs avg | $12,947 | 54% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
This analysis ranks 19 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,225 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $17,048.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Louisiana State University-Shreveport — Net Price: $7,022 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Tulane University of Louisiana — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Tulane University of Louisiana — Median alumni earnings: $63,268
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Louisiana Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Louisiana?
$47,089
Median earnings (10yr)
49%
Median graduation rate
$13,606
Median net price
3.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Louisiana, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
The median graduation rate across these 19 schools is 49%. Median graduate earnings reach $47,089 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $13,606 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $22,902. Some 41% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.1%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Louisiana pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $13,606 and median earnings of $47,089 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Xavier University of Louisiana lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,184 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,127 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Centenary College of Louisiana lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $50,330 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,624 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of New Orleans lands at #3 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,872 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,384 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Louisiana Tech University lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,279 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Nicholls State University lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,947 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
McNeese State University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $46,453 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,493 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Southeastern Louisiana University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,482 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Louisiana at Monroe lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,769 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,466 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Louisiana at Lafayette lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $47,089 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,530 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Loyola University New Orleans lands at #10 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $52,927 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,696 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Dillard University lands at #11 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,196 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,094 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Tulane University of Louisiana lands at #12 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $63,268 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,949 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 73% accepted · $19,151 net
Why it ranks #13
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $61,251 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,151 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Shreveport, LA · 51% accepted · $7,022 net
Why it ranks #14
Louisiana State University-Shreveport lands at #14 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,477 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,022 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Louisiana Christian University lands at #15 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $51,700 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,113 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Grambling State University lands at #16 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,109 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,809 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #17 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,042 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,810 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Natchitoches, LA · 93% accepted · $13,606 net
Why it ranks #18
Northwestern State University of Louisiana lands at #18 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (63/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,021 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,606 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 35% accepted · $20,077 net
Why it ranks #19
Southern University and A & M College lands at #19 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,371 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,077 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 19 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're considering a biology degree in Louisiana, you're looking at schools that not only offer robust programs but also focus on student outcomes. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions stand at $48,225, reflecting the potential financial return on your educational investment.
What sets these colleges apart is their graduation rates, student debt levels, and post-graduate earnings. Schools like Tulane University of Louisiana shine with an impressive 88% graduation rate and high earnings potential of $63,268, while others may have lower completion rates and higher debt burdens. This list below highlights institutions that prioritize both academic success and financial stability for their students.
Take Xavier University of Louisiana and Louisiana Tech University as an example. While Xavier's graduates earn an average of $52,184, it has a lower graduation rate of 49% compared to Louisiana Tech’s 61% and lower net price of $11,864. This contrast emphasizes the trade-offs students must consider when choosing a program that fits their needs and expectations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 13 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 3.1%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Xavier University of Louisiana leads the group at 5.3%, with Dillard University (5%) and Grambling State University (4.6%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 17.4% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Southern University at New Orleans enrolls the most, at 37.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 20.1% across the list, peaking at 31.5% at Xavier University of Louisiana.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.29, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Centenary College of Louisiana is highest at 1.68.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When you look closer at the data, one pattern emerges: Tulane University outperforms the others with its high graduation rate of 88% and impressive earnings of $63,268. In contrast, the University of New Orleans has a graduation rate of just 40% and lower average earnings of $47,872, highlighting the importance of choosing a school with a proven track record of student success.
After reviewing these schools, consider what factors matter most to you. Are you prioritizing lower debt, higher earnings, or a supportive campus environment? Look closely at the net price and graduation rates as you weigh your options. Each student's path is unique, and matching your priorities with the data can help you make a more informed decision.
Ultimately, the decisions made today affect future stability. A degree in biology can lead to various career paths, but choosing the right institution is crucial. For one family, the choice between a school with higher debt but better outcomes could mean the difference between financial security and ongoing struggles. Your choice matters, and understanding the data can guide you toward a more secure future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana ranking? +
Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $52,184 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 49% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Tulane University of Louisiana posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,268 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,225 average across the 19 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Louisiana State University-Shreveport leads: graduates earn a median $47,477 against net price of about $7,022 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Tulane University of Louisiana has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,048 a year across the 19 ranked schools with cost data. Louisiana State University-Shreveport is among the most affordable at roughly $7,022. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 19 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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