# Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 39 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-louisiana

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

Choosing an affordable college can have a significant impact on both your finances and future career. In Louisiana, several institutions stand out for their low net prices, helping students avoid heavy debt while pursuing their education. This list highlights colleges where the average net price is particularly manageable, opening doors for many families looking for cost-effective options.

What sets these schools apart is not just the price tag but the balance of earnings potential, graduation rates, and student debt. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from schools on this list is $41,945, which indicates a solid return on investment. However, it's essential to look closely at the graduation rates and debt levels as well, as they provide insight into long-term outcomes for students.

Take Louisiana State University-Shreveport, which has a net price of $7,022 and average earnings of $47,477, compared to Central Louisiana Technical Community College, with a lower net price of $5,702 but average earnings of $29,558. This contrast illustrates the tradeoff between immediate costs and potential future earnings, guiding students to make informed choices as they consider their options.

## Key Findings

- Louisiana State University-Shreveport has an average earnings potential of $47,477 with a net price of $7,022.
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College boasts a graduation rate of 72% and a low net price of $5,702.
- The average earnings of graduates from these schools is $41,945, showing a good return on investment.
- Students from Louisiana State University-Alexandria face an average debt of $19,000, while Baton Rouge Community College students average $12,450.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Louisiana State University-Shreveport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-shreveport) | Shreveport, LA | 35% | $47,477 | $7,022 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 2 | [Louisiana State University-Alexandria](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-alexandria) | Alexandria, LA | 35% | $42,205 | $7,065 | $19,000 | 0.45x |
| 3 | [Central Louisiana Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-louisiana-technical-community-college) | Alexandria, LA | 72% | $29,558 | $5,702 | $7,000 | 0.24x |
| 4 | [Louisiana Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-tech-university) | Ruston, LA | 61% | $52,279 | $11,864 | $22,135 | 0.42x |
| 5 | [Delgado Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delgado-community-college) | New Orleans, LA | 23% | $33,305 | $9,747 | $20,198 | 0.61x |
| 6 | [Louisiana Delta Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-delta-community-college) | Monroe, LA | 29% | $30,438 | $7,702 | $12,500 | 0.41x |
| 7 | [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 |
| 8 | [Baton Rouge Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baton-rouge-community-college) | Baton Rouge, LA | 29% | $34,581 | $9,474 | $12,450 | 0.36x |
| 9 | [SOWELA Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sowela-technical-community-college) | Lake Charles, LA | 43% | $32,303 | $7,525 | N/A | N/A |
| 10 | [McNeese State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcneese-state-university) | Lake Charles, LA | 49% | $46,453 | $12,493 | $23,000 | 0.5x |
| 11 | [River Parishes Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/river-parishes-community-college) | Gonzales, LA | 30% | $37,848 | $10,756 | $12,000 | 0.32x |
| 12 | [Nicholls State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nicholls-state-university) | Thibodaux, LA | 54% | $45,454 | $12,947 | $22,675 | 0.5x |
| 13 | [Southeastern Louisiana University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-louisiana-university) | Hammond, LA | 45% | $46,482 | $13,154 | $22,113 | 0.48x |
| 14 | [Louisiana State University-Eunice](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-eunice) | Eunice, LA | 16% | $36,498 | $10,421 | $14,250 | 0.39x |
| 15 | [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 |
| 16 | [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 |
| 17 | [Fletcher Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fletcher-technical-community-college) | Schriever, LA | 27% | $32,189 | $10,527 | $10,064 | 0.31x |
| 18 | [Northshore Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northshore-technical-community-college) | Lacombe, LA | 38% | $29,734 | $10,773 | $12,000 | 0.4x |
| 19 | [Louisiana Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-christian-university) | Pineville, LA | 42% | $51,700 | $13,113 | $21,875 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [Nunez Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nunez-community-college) | Chalmette, LA | 23% | $35,343 | $12,529 | $13,000 | 0.37x |
| 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 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 |
| 23 | [Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-louisiana-technical-community-college) | Minden, LA | 75% | $32,503 | $9,256 | N/A | N/A |
| 24 | [South Louisiana Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-louisiana-community-college) | Lafayette, LA | 30% | $31,432 | $12,564 | $11,000 | 0.35x |
| 25 | [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 |
| 26 | [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 |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [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 |
| 29 | [Grambling State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grambling-state-university) | Grambling, LA | 34% | $41,109 | $19,809 | $36,500 | 0.89x |
| 30 | [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 |
| 31 | [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 |
| 32 | [Dillard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dillard-university) | New Orleans, LA | 44% | $39,196 | $22,094 | $31,000 | 0.79x |
| 33 | [Herzing University-New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-new-orleans) | Metairie, LA | 30% | $36,909 | $21,269 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 34 | [Centenary College of Louisiana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centenary-college-of-louisiana) | Shreveport, LA | 58% | $50,330 | $23,624 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 35 | [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 |
| 36 | [Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/remington-college-baton-rouge-campus) | Baton Rouge, LA | 34% | $31,349 | $23,003 | $13,271 | 0.42x |
| 37 | [Remington College-Lafayette Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/remington-college-lafayette-campus) | Lafayette, LA | 39% | $31,349 | $29,592 | $13,271 | 0.42x |
| 38 | [Remington College-Shreveport Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/remington-college-shreveport-campus) | Shreveport, LA | 30% | $31,349 | $30,758 | $13,271 | 0.42x |
| 39 | [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 |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.