Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana (2026)
Updated
Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana lists 26 four-year institutions. Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
Louisiana State University at Alexandria ranks 1st on this list, with an average net price of $5,008 for families earning under $30,000. Across the 24 schools with a published figure, the average net price for families earning under $30,000 ranges from $5,008 to $42,549, with a median of $13,130.
Public institutions account for 62% of the list, with 16 public schools and 10 private nonprofits. Louisiana State University-Shreveport posts the lowest average net price at $7,022, while Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranks 81st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University at Alexandria · Alexandria, LA | $51,983 | $7,065 | $5,008 | 92.1% |
| Louisiana State University at Alexandria reports an average net price of $5,008 for families earning under $30,000, and its graduates earn a median of $51,983 four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport · Shreveport, LA | $51,673 | $7,022 | $5,680 | 50.6% |
| Graduates of Louisiana State University-Shreveport earn a median of $51,673 four years after completing, and the school posts an average net price of $5,680 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 3 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $61,520 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University admits 86% of applicants and its graduates earn a median of $61,520 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | McNeese State University · Lake Charles, LA | $53,563 | $12,493 | $10,482 | 78.3% |
| McNeese State University ranks 4th on this list and reports a six-year completion rate of 47%. | |||||
| 5 | Southeastern Louisiana University · Hammond, LA | $50,215 | $13,154 | $10,507 | 99.3% |
| With an admission rate of 99%, Southeastern Louisiana University carries an average net price of $10,507 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 6 | Nicholls State University · Thibodaux, LA | $51,767 | $12,947 | $10,714 | 90.8% |
| Nicholls State University reports median earnings of $51,767 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,714 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 7 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary · New Orleans, LA | $59,131 | $10,829 | $10,829 | Not reported |
| A private nonprofit institution, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary posts a six-year completion rate of 74% and an average net price of $10,829 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 8 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA | $58,638 | $13,530 | $11,157 | 87.0% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranks 167th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $11,157 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 9 | University of Louisiana at Monroe · Monroe, LA | $53,715 | $13,466 | $11,490 | 84.8% |
| Graduates of University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of $53,715 four years after completing, and the school admits 85% of applicants. | |||||
| 10 | University of New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $56,037 | $12,384 | $11,532 | 74.3% |
| University of New Orleans reports a six-year completion rate of 38% and an average net price of $11,532 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 11 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana · Natchitoches, LA | $56,762 | $13,606 | $11,693 | 92.5% |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana ranks 11th on this list, with median earnings of $56,762 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $66,893 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranks 81st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $13,056 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | Louisiana Christian University · Pineville, LA | $53,861 | $13,113 | $13,203 | 77.2% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Pineville, Louisiana Christian University reports median earnings of $53,861 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 14 | University of Holy Cross · New Orleans, LA | $62,842 | $15,635 | $14,202 | 73.7% |
| University of Holy Cross admits 74% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 49%. | |||||
| 15 | Xavier University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $49,328 | $17,127 | $14,405 | 69.0% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana ranks 780th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $14,405 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 16 | Southern University at New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $47,240 | $14,810 | $14,771 | 78.9% |
| Southern University at New Orleans, a public university in New Orleans, shows a six-year completion rate of 13% and median earnings of $47,240 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $73,816 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| Tulane University of Louisiana has an admission rate of 14% and reports median earnings of $73,816 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University · Baton Rouge, LA | $63,699 | $18,552 | $17,014 | 98.7% |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University posts an average net price of $17,014 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 45%. | |||||
| 19 | Grambling State University · Grambling, LA | $47,043 | $19,809 | $18,666 | 44.9% |
| Grambling State University ranks 429th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates earn a median of $47,043 four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Southern University and A & M College · Baton Rouge, LA | $54,666 | $20,077 | $19,047 | 35.1% |
| Southern University and A & M College admits 35% of applicants, with an average net price of $19,047 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 21 | Centenary College of Louisiana · Shreveport, LA | $49,479 | $23,624 | $19,493 | 55.7% |
| Centenary College of Louisiana reports median earnings of $49,479 for its graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 56%. | |||||
| 22 | Dillard University · New Orleans, LA | $48,421 | $22,094 | $19,819 | 41.9% |
| Dillard University ranks 932nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside an average net price of $19,819 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 23 | Loyola University New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $52,459 | $23,696 | $20,131 | 93.1% |
| Loyola University New Orleans admits 93% of applicants, and its graduates earn a median of $52,459 four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | Saint Joseph Seminary College · St. Benedict, LA | $44,996 | $45,460 | $42,549 | Not reported |
| Saint Joseph Seminary College posts an average net price of $42,549 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 48%. | |||||
| 25 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $81,234 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, a public institution in New Orleans, reports median earnings of $81,234 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 26 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport · Shreveport, LA | $76,380 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduates of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport earn a median of $76,380 four years after completing, and the school ranks 1302nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The earnings figures are for federally aided completers across all fields who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not adjust for who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 24 schools with a published figure. The gap between Louisiana State University at Alexandria and Louisiana State University-Shreveport is $-672 for families earning under $30,000.