# Best Colleges in Louisiana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 25 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-louisiana

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Louisiana

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

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.

## Key Findings

- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn an average of $61,251.
- Tulane University boasts the highest graduation rate at 88%, significantly above the average of 46%.
- Nicholls State University has the lowest net price on the list at $12,947.
- Louisiana Tech University graduates face an average debt of $22,135.

## 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 | [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 |
| 3 | [Nicholls State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nicholls-state-university) | Thibodaux, LA | 54% | $45,454 | $12,947 | $22,675 | 0.5x |
| 4 | [McNeese State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcneese-state-university) | Lake Charles, LA | 49% | $46,453 | $12,493 | $23,000 | 0.5x |
| 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 | [Centenary College of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centenary-college-of-louisiana) | Shreveport, LA | 58% | $50,330 | $23,624 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 11 | [Dillard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dillard-university) | New Orleans, LA | 44% | $39,196 | $22,094 | $31,000 | 0.79x |
| 12 | [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 |
| 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 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 |
| 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-Shreveport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-shreveport) | Shreveport, LA | 35% | $47,477 | $7,022 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 17 | [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 |
| 18 | [Louisiana State University-Alexandria](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-alexandria) | Alexandria, LA | 35% | $42,205 | $7,065 | $19,000 | 0.45x |
| 19 | [Louisiana Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-christian-university) | Pineville, LA | 42% | $51,700 | $13,113 | $21,875 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [Grambling State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grambling-state-university) | Grambling, LA | 34% | $41,109 | $19,809 | $36,500 | 0.89x |
| 21 | [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 |
| 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 | [Louisiana State University-Eunice](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-eunice) | Eunice, LA | 16% | $36,498 | $10,421 | $14,250 | 0.39x |
| 24 | [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 |
| 25 | [Herzing University-New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-new-orleans) | Metairie, LA | 30% | $36,909 | $21,269 | $21,500 | 0.58x |

## 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 Colleges in Louisiana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-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/.