Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Louisiana
- 25
- Schools
- $47,526
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,307
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,070
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $34,042 at the low end to $63,268 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Louisiana State University-Shreveport offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $47,477 against $7,022 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Louisiana State University-Shreveport at $7,022 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $47,477, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Tulane University of Louisiana graduates 88% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Tulane University of Louisiana: graduates owe only 0.32× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Louisiana Tech University ($52,279 earnings), not the highest earner, Tulane University of Louisiana ($63,268). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Louisiana State University-Shreveport ($7,022/yr) and Tulane University of Louisiana ($39,949/yr) produce graduates earning $47,477 and $63,268 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $32,927 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Louisiana State University-Shreveport outperforms Tulane University of Louisiana: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Tulane University of Louisiana. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 2026-06-15
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 Louisiana Tech University #1 overall | $52,279 ▲ +10% vs avg | $11,864 | 61% | 69 |
| 2 University of New Orleans #2 overall | $47,872 ▲ +1% vs avg | $12,384 | 40% | 68 |
| 3 Nicholls State University #3 overall | $45,454 ▼ -4% vs avg | $12,947 | 54% | 68 |
| $46,453 ▼ -2% vs avg | $12,493 | 49% | 68 | |
| $47,089 ▼ -1% vs avg | $13,530 | 52% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Louisiana
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,526 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $16,307.
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
Data Insight
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?
$47,055
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$13,606
Median net price
3.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Louisiana serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 25 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $47,055 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 45%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $13,606 a year, with about $22,789 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 40% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 3.1%.
For Louisiana, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $13,606 and graduates earning a median of $47,055, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Louisiana Tech University lands at #1 with a 69/100 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, 10% 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 #2
University of New Orleans lands at #2 with a 68/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Nicholls State University lands at #3 with a 68/100 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, 4% 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 #4
McNeese State University lands at #4 with a 68/100 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, 2% 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 #5
University of Louisiana at Lafayette lands at #5 with a 68/100 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, 1% 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 #6
Southeastern Louisiana University lands at #6 with a 67/100 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, 2% 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 #7
University of Louisiana at Monroe lands at #7 with a 67/100 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, 2% 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 #8
Xavier University of Louisiana lands at #8 with a 66/100 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, 10% 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 #9
Loyola University New Orleans lands at #9 with a 64/100 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, 11% 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 #10
Centenary College of Louisiana lands at #10 with a 63/100 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, 6% 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
Alexandria, LA · 92% accepted · $7,065 net
Why it ranks #11
Louisiana State University at Alexandria lands at #11 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $42,205 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,065 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 #12
Dillard University lands at #12 with a 60/100 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, 18% 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 #13
Tulane University of Louisiana lands at #13 with a 59/100 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, 33% 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
Why it ranks #14
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary lands at #14 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (77/100). Net price runs $10,829 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.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 73% accepted · $19,151 net
Why it ranks #15
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College lands at #15 with a 59/100 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, 29% 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
Baton Rouge, LA · 99% accepted · $18,552 net
Why it ranks #16
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University lands at #16 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $59,419 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,552 a year, above 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
Shreveport, LA · 51% accepted · $7,022 net
Why it ranks #17
Louisiana State University-Shreveport lands at #17 with a 57/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #18 with a 57/100 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, 28% 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
Why it ranks #19
Louisiana Christian University lands at #19 with a 56/100 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, 9% 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 #20
Grambling State University lands at #20 with a 56/100 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, 14% 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
Natchitoches, LA · 93% accepted · $13,606 net
Why it ranks #21
Northwestern State University of Louisiana lands at #21 with a 54/100 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, 1% 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 #22
Southern University and A & M College lands at #22 with a 52/100 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, 9% 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
Why it ranks #23
Louisiana State University-Eunice lands at #23 with a 49/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $36,498 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,421 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 #24
University of Holy Cross lands at #24 with a 46/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by social mobility (30/100). Graduates earn a median $49,316 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,635 a year. 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 #25
Herzing University-New Orleans lands at #25 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,269 a year, above 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 25 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Louisiana is home to a diverse range of colleges, each offering unique opportunities for students. With 25 institutions in this ranking, families are looking for the best fit that aligns with their educational and financial goals.
What separates the top schools from the rest often boils down to key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, debt, and mobility. The schools listed below are ranked based on a composite score that reflects these important metrics, helping students and parents weigh their options effectively.
For example, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with impressive earnings of $61,251 and a graduation rate of 70%. In contrast, Louisiana State University-Shreveport has lower earnings at $47,477 and a graduation rate of just 35%. This difference might influence a student’s decision based on their career aspirations and financial considerations.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 13 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.1%. Xavier University of Louisiana leads the group at 5.3%, with Dillard University (5%) and Grambling State University (4.6%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 17.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southern University at New Orleans leads at 37.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 20.1% across this list. Xavier University of Louisiana posts the highest success rate at 31.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.29 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Centenary College of Louisiana reaches 1.68, the highest on the list.
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 comparing Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College to Louisiana Tech University, the differences in outcomes are stark. LSU graduates have an average earning of $61,251, while those from Louisiana Tech earn $52,279. This $8,972 gap highlights how significantly different institutions can impact financial futures.
As you weigh these options, consider your priorities. Are you looking for a school with a high graduation rate, like Tulane University at 88%, or is a lower net price, such as that of Louisiana State University-Shreveport at $7,022, more important? Identifying what matters most to you—whether it’s program fit, campus culture, or financial implications—will guide your decision.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life is shaped by the choices we make today. Each family’s decision will influence their future, with earnings and debt being key factors that can affect financial stability for years to come.
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 Colleges in Louisiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Louisiana ranking? +
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Louisiana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $52,279 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 61% 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 $47,526 average across the 24 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 46% 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 $16,307 a year across the 25 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 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 25 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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