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Best Value Business Administration Colleges in Louisiana

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Louisiana State University-Shreveport delivers remarkable value in business education with a net price of just $8,130 while graduates earn $32,770 annually. This represents one of the nation's strongest cost-to-earnings ratios for business programs. The state's 15 programs show dramatic variation, with private institutions like Herzing University-New Orleans producing graduates earning $50,047 but costing $21,090 net. Louisiana's oil refining, petrochemical manufacturing, and Mississippi River port operations create steady demand for business managers across supply chain, operations, and project management roles. Public universities dominate the value equation, with nine of the top 10 most affordable options charging under $15,000 net annually. The TOPS scholarship program further reduces costs for Louisiana residents who maintain academic standards. LSU's main Baton Rouge campus stands out with 71% graduation rates and $43,638 median earnings, justifying its $20,015 net cost. Students can access quality business training from Shreveport to New Orleans, with most programs maintaining acceptance rates above 70% and providing pathways into the state's energy-driven economy.
23
Programs
$8,130 – $43,939
Net Price Range
$34,434
Avg. Program Earnings
47.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,130 $32,770 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
2 $8,365 $30,228 $7,050 35.5% 57.7%
3 $11,633 $38,289 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
4 $12,209 $37,748 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
5 $12,174 $36,211 $8,373 44.8% 99.0%
6 $11,257 $32,806 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
7 $11,147 $32,332 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
8 $12,091 $32,186 $8,173 54.3% 98.4%
9 $13,809 $35,861 $8,864 44.6% 97.9%
10 $14,118 $34,259 $10,418 52.0% 74.6%
11 $21,090 $50,047 $13,420 28.6% 95.0%
12 $20,015 $43,638 $11,954 71.0% 75.7%
13 $19,125 $30,771 $7,683 32.3% 42.4%
14 $19,740 $30,771 $9,940 28.5% 53.9%
15 $18,285 $28,236 $27,868 50.2% 95.2%
16 $22,762 $35,060 $47,240 67.4% 78.1%
17 $25,159 $32,925 $40,000 59.3% 63.7%
18 $43,939 $55,625 $65,538 88.9% 11.5%
19 $15,260 $18,771 $7,490 17.9% 93.5%
20 $18,553 $20,140 $22,194 45.1% 79.9%
21 $16,874 $19,740 41.3% 74.6%
22 $16,780 $16,160 35.8% 87.4%
23 $17,797 $15,690 51.3% 84.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $12,960 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

LSU-Shreveport costs $8,130 net while Herzing University-New Orleans charges $21,090, reflecting the public versus private divide. However, Herzing graduates earn $50,047 compared to LSU-Shreveport's $32,770, creating different value propositions. Most public universities cluster between $8,000-$14,000 net cost. The TOPS scholarship program helps qualifying Louisiana residents attend public universities with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Louisiana?

LSU Baton Rouge commands the highest graduation rate at 71% while charging $20,015 net annually. More affordable options show mixed results, with Louisiana Tech achieving 57.6% graduation rates at $12,209 net cost. Several low-cost programs struggle with completion, including LSU-Shreveport at 33.2% and Southern University at 28.5%. Students should balance affordability with institutional support systems that improve degree completion odds.

Is the University of Louisiana at Monroe worth the higher cost compared to other regional options?

ULM charges $11,633 net but delivers strong returns with $38,289 median earnings and 50.6% graduation rates. This beats nearby competitors like LSU-Shreveport and LSU-Alexandria in both earnings and completion rates. The $3,000-4,000 additional annual investment often pays dividends through higher post-graduation income. ULM's business programs benefit from established industry connections across northeast Louisiana's manufacturing and healthcare sectors.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality among Louisiana business schools?

Grambling State maintains the most selective admissions at 42.37% acceptance while charging $19,125 net annually. However, its 32.3% graduation rate suggests high admission standards don't guarantee completion success. LSU Baton Rouge balances selectivity (75.72% acceptance) with strong outcomes (71% graduation, $43,638 earnings). Open-access institutions like Southeastern Louisiana (98.98% acceptance) can provide excellent value for motivated students despite minimal admission barriers.

Where do Louisiana business graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Louisiana's petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans offers management positions with companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Dow Chemical. Port operations in New Orleans and Lake Charles need supply chain and logistics managers. The state's 17 refineries require operations managers and safety coordinators. Energy services companies throughout Louisiana hire business graduates for project management and client relations roles, with starting salaries often exceeding the $30,000-40,000 range most programs produce.

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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.