# Best Master's Programs in Louisiana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-12 | Schools: 25 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-louisiana

## Methodology

Master's programs in Louisiana ranked by graduate outcomes

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 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.

## Key Findings

- Louisiana State University graduates earn $61,251 on average, the highest in this list.
- Tulane University has an impressive 88% graduation rate, the highest among these programs.
- Nicholls State University has a net price of $12,947, one of the lower costs on this list.
- On average, graduates from these programs face $22,500 in debt.

## 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 |
| 24 | [Herzing University-New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-new-orleans) | Metairie, LA | 30% | $36,909 | $21,269 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 25 | [Remington College-Shreveport Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/remington-college-shreveport-campus) | Shreveport, LA | 30% | $31,349 | $30,758 | $13,271 | 0.42x |

## 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 Master's Programs in Louisiana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-12. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-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/.