2021 Best Colleges in Louisiana by Salary Score
We ranked the best schools in Louisiana by bachelor's degree Salary Scores to show how they compare to universities across the country in terms of alumni earnings in the first year after graduation. The Salary Score is calculated by comparing median alumni salaries for each bachelor's degree program to median salaries for graduates from the same programs at other schools, then compiling an overall score to show how well each college prepares alumni across programs for a higher-paying career. The cost of living in Louisiana is lower than the national average, and alumni who work in-state may have lower salaries in line with lower living expenses. Despite the lower cost of living in the state, Tulane University and Louisiana State University had higher Salary Scores than the median for all colleges in the United States.
To be considered for our state rankings, schools must offer and provide data for at least 8 bachelor's programs. This list includes all eligible schools in Louisiana. You can click on a school's name to view individual program scores. Read our methodology to learn more about how schools were ranked.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition | Salary Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane University | $56,800 | 56.24 | |
| Louisiana State University | $11,962 | 51.87 | |
| Louisiana State University - Shreveport | $7,327 | 33.80 | |
| McNeese State University | $8,102 | 32.56 | |
| University of Louisiana-Monroe | $8,974 | 31.99 | |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | $8,768 | 30.82 | |
| Louisiana Tech University | $10,185 | 30.54 | |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | $8,329 | 30.47 | |
| University of Louisiana-Lafayette | $10,382 | 28.50 | |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | $6,669 | 26.01 | |
| Southern University and A & M College | $9,141 | 25.11 | |
| Loyola University New Orleans | $40,842 | 24.98 | |
| University of New Orleans | $8,772 | 22.63 | |
| Nicholls State University | $7,898 | 22.51 | |
| Grambling State University | $7,683 | 4.78 |
2021 Best Colleges in Louisiana Highlights
The bachelor's program with the highest Salary Score at Tulane University is history, with a score of 95. Graduates of this program report a starting median annual salary of $41,940, which is higher than the median salary for graduates from similar programs at other schools. Other high-ranking programs include finance and financial management services, with a score of 92 and a median salary of $64,330, and biology, with a score of 87 and a median salary of $35,060. With earnings of $69,340 in their first year out of college, chemical engineering graduates have the highest salary of all the bachelor's programs at Tulane.
School Overview
Tulane University is a mid-sized, private, non-profit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tulane offers the Louisiana Promise to new, first-year students who are Louisiana residents and meet certain financial need criteria. The scholarship covers 100% of any financial need not met through other aid. Students who live in on-campus housing will have the opportunity to live in one of Tulane’s unique Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) if they choose to do so. RLCs are housing communities focused on a common goal or interest, and include communities like Current for women in STEM, Kaleidoscope for students interested in social justice issues, and Honors Scholars for students who want to challenge themselves academically.
The three bachelor's fields at Louisiana State University (LSU) that have the highest Salary Scores are education, other (100), communication disorders sciences and services (99), and social work (99). Of these top programs, education has the highest median salary. Alumni report earnings of $55,960 in their first year out of school. The program at LSU with the highest overall salary is chemical engineering, which has a Salary Score of 91 and a median annual salary of $77,570.
School Overview
Louisiana State University is a large, public university located in Louisiana's capital city of Baton Rouge. Ninety-three percent of students at LSU receive financial aid or have scholarships, and two out of every three graduates have no debt. Undergraduate students who are interested in taking part in research can join the LSU Discover Undergraduate Research program, where they will be able to connect with mentors, find funding, and get access to opportunities to present their research to others.
The bachelor's program at Louisiana State University - Shreveport (LSUS) that has the highest Salary Score is teacher education and professional development (specific levels and methods), which scores an 89. Graduates of this program have a median annual salary of $41,860 in their first post-graduate year. The program at LSU - Shreveport with the highest reported median annual salary is computer sciences, at $53,780.
School Overview
Louisiana State University - Shreveport is a mid-sized, public university. It is located in Shreveport, a large city in the northeastern part of the state, and is just a few hours away from Dallas, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi. LSUS has a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1 and offers both online and on-campus programs. The university features a range of clubs and organizations that students can join, whether their interests are in drama, books, community service, fishing, or joining a fraternity or sorority. The school also offers a variety of scholarships for first-year, transfer, continuing, and international students.
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