Best Value Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge stands apart from other accounting programs statewide, with graduates earning $57,705 annually despite a net cost of $20,015. This figure significantly outpaces the $31,987 to $47,260 range seen at other Louisiana institutions, reflecting the program's connection to major employers in Baton Rouge's government and corporate sectors. The state's 20 accounting programs show remarkable cost variation, from LSU-Shreveport's $8,130 net price to private options reaching $22,762. Louisiana's oil, gas, and petrochemical industries create steady demand for accounting professionals, particularly around major refining centers and port facilities. The TOPS scholarship program covers tuition at public universities for qualifying students, making programs like Southeastern Louisiana University even more affordable at $12,174 net cost. Public universities dominate the value market, with eight of the top 10 most affordable options being state institutions. Graduation rates vary widely, from 28% at some schools to 71% at LSU Baton Rouge, suggesting program rigor and student support levels differ significantly across the state.

Programs

$8,130 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$40,223

Avg. Program Earnings

48.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130	$47,260	$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
2	University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$11,147	$44,356	$9,172	42.5%	69.8%
3	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$43,798	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
4	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$38,829	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
5	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$39,369	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
6	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$57,705	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
7	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$39,009	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
8	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091	$31,987	$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
9	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$33,459	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
10	Herzing University-New Orleans Metairie, Louisiana	$21,090	$41,937	$13,420	28.6%	95.0%
11	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740	$37,208	$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
12	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553	$33,993	$22,194	45.1%	79.9%
13	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$33,993	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
14	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762		$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
15	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209		$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
16	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874		$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
17	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	$8,365		$7,050	35.5%	57.7%
18	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780		$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
19	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939		$65,538	88.9%	11.5%
20	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285		$27,868	50.2%	95.2%
21	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	$25,159		$40,000	59.3%	63.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes LSU Baton Rouge worth the higher cost compared to other Louisiana accounting programs?

LSU Baton Rouge graduates earn $57,705 annually, which is $10,445 more than the next highest-earning program at LSU-Shreveport. The 71% graduation rate far exceeds the state average, and the $20,015 net cost still provides strong return on investment. The school's location in the state capital provides access to government accounting positions and major corporate headquarters.

How much can TOPS scholarship recipients save on accounting degrees in Louisiana?

TOPS covers full tuition at public universities, creating substantial savings since in-state tuition ranges from $7,327 to $11,954 across programs. At LSU Baton Rouge, TOPS recipients pay the $20,015 net cost instead of the full $11,954 tuition burden. Students at schools like Nicholls State or LSU-Shreveport see even greater relative savings with lower base costs.

Which Louisiana accounting programs offer the lowest student debt levels?

University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates carry just $13,036 in average debt, the lowest among reporting schools. University of New Orleans follows at $14,475, while McNeese State graduates average $18,683. These low debt levels, combined with reasonable earnings, create favorable debt-to-income ratios for graduates entering Louisiana's accounting job market.

Does program location within Louisiana affect accounting career opportunities?

New Orleans and Baton Rouge offer the most accounting opportunities due to major ports, oil companies, and government agencies. UNO graduates earn $44,356 working in the shipping and tourism sectors, while LSU Baton Rouge connects students to state government and ExxonMobil operations. Rural programs like Northwestern State still provide solid preparation at $13,809 net cost with regional firm placement.

Is the graduation rate gap between Louisiana accounting programs significant?

Graduation rates span from 28.5% at Southern University to 71% at LSU Baton Rouge, indicating major differences in student support and program rigor. Schools like Louisiana Tech achieve 57.6% graduation rates at moderate costs, while Southeastern Louisiana reaches 44.8% at just $12,174 net price. Higher graduation rates generally correlate with better career placement and earning potential.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.