Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Louisiana
- 25
- Schools
- $47,311
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,121
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,029
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 25 schools run from $31,349 to $63,268, a 2.0× 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 46% 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 Louisiana Tech University ($52,279 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
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Tulane University of Louisiana. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using 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 out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
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 ▲ +11% vs avg | $11,864 | 61% | 68 |
| 2 Nicholls State University #2 overall | $45,454 ▼ -4% vs avg | $12,947 | 54% | 67 |
| 3 McNeese State University #3 overall | $46,453 ▼ -2% vs avg | $12,493 | 49% | 67 |
| $47,872 ▲ +1% vs avg | $12,384 | 40% | 67 | |
| $47,089 ▲ +0% vs avg | $13,530 | 52% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Louisiana
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,311 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $17,121.
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?
$47,055
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$14,810
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.
Start with the medians across these 25 schools. Graduates earn a median of $47,055 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 45%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $14,810 a year with about $22,789 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 42% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 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 $14,810 and median earnings of $47,055 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
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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
Louisiana Tech University lands at #1 with a 68/100 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, 11% 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
Nicholls State University lands at #2 with a 67/100 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 #3
McNeese State University lands at #3 with a 67/100 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 #4
University of New Orleans lands at #4 with a 67/100 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 #5
University of Louisiana at Lafayette lands at #5 with a 66/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Southeastern Louisiana University lands at #6 with a 66/100 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 66/100 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, 1% 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 63/100 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 62/100 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, 12% 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
Baton Rouge, LA · 73% accepted · $19,151 net
Why it ranks #10
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College lands at #10 with a 61/100 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
Why it ranks #11
Tulane University of Louisiana lands at #11 with a 60/100 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, 34% 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 #12
Centenary College of Louisiana lands at #12 with a 60/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary lands at #13 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
Shreveport, LA · 51% accepted · $7,022 net
Why it ranks #14
Louisiana State University-Shreveport lands at #14 with a 59/100 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
Baton Rouge, LA · 99% accepted · $18,552 net
Why it ranks #15
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University lands at #15 with a 58/100 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, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,552 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
Alexandria, LA · 92% accepted · $7,065 net
Why it ranks #16
Louisiana State University-Alexandria lands at #16 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). 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 #17
Dillard University lands at #17 with a 56/100 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, 17% 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 #18
Louisiana Christian University lands at #18 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
Natchitoches, LA · 93% accepted · $13,606 net
Why it ranks #19
Northwestern State University of Louisiana lands at #19 with a 55/100 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
Why it ranks #20
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #20 with a 54/100 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 #21
Grambling State University lands at #21 with a 53/100 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, 13% 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
Baton Rouge, LA · 35% accepted · $20,077 net
Why it ranks #22
Southern University and A & M College lands at #22 with a 50/100 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, 8% 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
University of Holy Cross lands at #23 with a 49/100 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, 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 #24
Herzing University-New Orleans lands at #24 with a 43/100 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
Why it ranks #25
Remington College-Shreveport Campus lands at #25 with a 42/100 composite, led by academic quality (58/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $31,349 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,758 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 25 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a master's program in Louisiana, students are looking for a balance of quality education and strong career outcomes. The schools listed here share a commitment to preparing graduates for success, with a focus on earning potential and completion rates. On average, graduates from these programs can expect to earn around $47,311 annually after completing their degrees.
What sets these programs apart are the key metrics that matter most for prospective students: earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall mobility. For example, while the average grad rate for these programs is 46%, individual schools vary widely. This list ranks institutions based on their ability to maximize graduate outcomes, helping you identify the best fit for your future.
Take Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, where graduates earn $61,251 annually with a 70% graduation rate. In contrast, Nicholls State University graduates earn significantly less at $45,454 with only a 54% grad rate. This highlights the importance of not just the degree but the institution's support in helping students finish strong and launch successful careers.
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
At first glance, the earnings and graduation rates of these programs tell a compelling story. For instance, Tulane University stands out with its 88% graduation rate and an average earning of $63,268. In contrast, Louisiana State University-Shreveport has a much lower graduation rate of 35% and average earnings of $47,477. This illustrates how the level of student support and resources can significantly impact outcomes.
As you sift through this list of 25 programs, think about your personal priorities. Are you willing to take on more debt for a potentially higher salary later? Or is a lower net price your primary concern? Consider how each program's specific offerings align with your career goals, lifestyle, and financial plans. Visiting campuses or networking with alumni can also provide valuable insight that numbers alone cannot.
Ultimately, the transition from a master's program to a stable career is shaped by these metrics. Families must weigh their choices carefully: one decision can set the trajectory for years to come. The data here helps clarify that path, pointing to institutions that not only provide a degree but also offer a solid foundation for a successful 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 Master's Programs in Louisiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Louisiana ranking? +
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $47,311 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 $17,121 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 Master's Programs 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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