Grambling State combines highly selective admission standards with exceptional commitment to educational access. As an Under-Resourced Institution, the university achieves meaningful earnings beyond expectations while serving one of the most diverse student populations nationally, supporting economic mobility for underrepresented students.
Modestly below average outcomes relative to educational investment
Challenges with cost management and debt levels
The university's commitment to serving Pell-eligible and first-generation students at rates far above national averages
Strong ability to convert educational opportunity into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisGrambling State University delivers meaningful earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and institutional resources. Graduates earn a median of $41,109 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 18th percentile nationally.
While earnings levels are modestly below average, the institution generates $5,371 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 75th percentile nationally on this measure. Earnings range from $21,673 at the 25th percentile to $59,505 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines.
Students seeking access to higher education with strong support systems, particularly first-generation college students and those from lower-income backgrounds. Best suited for students who value high accessibility over prestige and benefit from institutions with demonstrated success in supporting diverse student populations through graduation.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Grambling State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/grambling-state-university/analysis.
Exceptional access with selective admissions
Grambling State University ranks #262 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 83.9th percentile. Located in Grambling, Louisiana, this medium-sized public university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 23.7% acceptance rate while serving a diverse student population.
Grambling State enrolls 72.2% Pell-eligible students and 39.5% first-generation students, placing it among the highest nationally for educational access. Graduates earn $5,371 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 75th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $41,109 ten years after enrollment, which is modestly below average at the 18th percentile but represents significant economic advancement for the student population served. This combination of selective admissions, exceptional access, and positive earnings outcomes positions Grambling State as an Under-Resourced Institution that demonstrates strong commitment to educational opportunity and economic mobility despite resource constraints.
Grambling State University admits approximately 23.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 4 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Grambling State in the highly selective category, with significantly more competitive admission than typical four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights the stark difference between Grambling State's selectivity and most public universities serving similar student populations. This level of selectivity means that even qualified students may face uncertainty in the admission process, despite the institution's strong commitment to access and diversity.
Students should approach Grambling State as a selective institution and build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates. The combination of selective admission with exceptional access to underrepresented students makes Grambling State distinctive among public universities.
For students seeking both academic rigor and institutional commitment to diversity, this selectivity profile represents a balanced approach to admission. The sections below provide context on admitted student characteristics and alternative schools with more accessible admission processes while maintaining similar educational outcomes and commitment to student success.
Information Science/Studies.
27 graduates
Biology, General.
51 graduates
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
46 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
32 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
11 graduates
Grambling State offers 9 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Information Science/Studies ranks #48 nationally and #2 in Louisiana, producing 27 graduates with median earnings of $43,980 and a value score of 6.0.
Biology, General ranks #246 nationally and #6 in Louisiana, graduating 51 students with median earnings of $42,857 and a value score of 33.4. Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians ranks #23 nationally and #2 in Louisiana, with 46 graduates earning $40,485.
Corrections Administration is the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 100 students annually with median earnings of $33,296 and ranking #181 nationally. Business Administration and Management graduates 32 students with median earnings of $34,679.
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ranks #1 in Louisiana, graduating 30 students with median earnings of $31,093. All tracked programs are designated as top majors at the school, reflecting the institution's focused academic portfolio and specialized strengths.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Grambling State University's published cost of attendance is $25,100 per year—that's $16,706 in out-of-state tuition ($7,683 for Louisiana residents), $10,990 for room and board, and $1,800 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $19,125 after financial aid, representing savings of $5,975 from the sticker price.
The net price is $5,032 higher than the peer median of $14,093, indicating above-average costs relative to similar institutions. Financial aid covers a smaller portion of costs compared to peer institutions, resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses for families.
The gap between published and actual costs is relatively modest compared to institutions with more substantial financial aid programs. Net prices range from $16,447 for the lowest-income families to $24,356 for families earning over $110,000, showing a progressive aid structure but limited overall affordability relief.
The moderate aid savings combined with above-peer pricing creates cost challenges that families should carefully evaluate using personalized financial planning tools to understand their specific obligations and payment options.
Grambling State graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time despite starting from modest initial levels. Median earnings rise from $25,589 six years after enrollment to $29,689 at eight years and $41,109 at ten years, representing 60.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 1,063, 1,381, and 1,247 graduates respectively, providing confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $5,371 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Grambling State at the 75th percentile for earnings uplift.
This positive performance indicates the institution's effectiveness in supporting student success beyond what demographic characteristics alone would predict. Low-income graduates earn $30,400, reflecting meaningful economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $21,673 at the 25th percentile to $59,505 at the 75th percentile, a 2.7:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 23% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisiana State University-Alexandria Higher acceptance rate (69 percentage points higher) and located 95 miles away; similar graduate earnings | LA | 93% | $42,205 | Compare |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Higher acceptance rate (42.9 percentage points higher) and located 61 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 67% | $42,386 | Compare |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Higher acceptance rate (70.1 percentage points higher) and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | LA | 94% | $47,021 | Compare |
Columbia College Higher acceptance rate (72.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | SC | 96% | $41,338 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Higher acceptance rate (68.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NC | 92% | $43,407 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tennessee Technological University Similar quality tier (#264 ranked) | TN | 83% | $48,501 | #264 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Similar quality tier (#263 ranked) | MA | 85% | $64,874 | #263 | Compare |
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Similar quality tier (#270 ranked) | IL | 97% | $56,346 | #270 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Similar quality tier (#271 ranked) | PR | 92% | $34,409 | #271 | Compare |
Morgan State University Similar quality tier (#261 ranked) | MD | 83% | $50,698 | #261 | Compare |