Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana criminal justice programs show remarkable cost efficiency, with LSU-Shreveport delivering the state's lowest net price at $8,130 while graduates earn $35,276 annually. The earnings gap between programs reaches $33,571, from Remington College-Shreveport's $25,372 to Herzing University-New Orleans' $58,943. Louisiana's extensive port system along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast creates steady demand for criminal justice professionals in cargo security, customs enforcement, and maritime law enforcement. Public universities dominate the value equation, with eight of the top ten most affordable options charging under $15,000 net annually. The state's TOPS scholarship program further reduces costs for qualifying residents, making criminal justice education particularly accessible. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Southern University at New Orleans' 17.9% to Nicholls State's 54.3%, suggesting program structure and support services impact student success as much as affordability.

Programs

$8,130 – $30,248

Net Price Range

$32,446

Avg. Program Earnings

39.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130	$35,276	$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
2	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	$8,365	$30,228	$7,050	35.5%	57.7%
3	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$32,332	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
4	Herzing University-New Orleans Metairie, Louisiana	$21,090	$58,943	$13,420	28.6%	95.0%
5	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$30,650	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
6	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$31,843	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
7	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874	$38,289	$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
8	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$29,685	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
9	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$28,870	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
10	Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$15,260	$26,585	$7,490	17.9%	93.5%
11	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740	$27,542	$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
12	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$26,187	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
13	Remington College-Shreveport Campus Shreveport, Louisiana	$30,248	$25,372	$23,560	25.9%
14	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553		$22,194	45.1%	79.9%
15	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091		$8,173	54.3%	98.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for Herzing University-New Orleans graduates earning $58,943 while the program costs $21,090?

Herzing's criminal justice program emphasizes practical training and industry connections that translate to higher-paying positions. The $58,943 average salary represents the highest earnings among Louisiana's 15 criminal justice programs. The school's Metairie location provides access to New Orleans area law enforcement agencies and private security firms. However, the 28.6% graduation rate suggests the program's intensity may challenge some students.

How do Louisiana's public university costs compare for criminal justice students?

Public university net prices range from $8,130 at LSU-Shreveport to $19,740 at Southern University and A&M College, a difference of $11,610 annually. In-state tuition shows even greater variation, from $7,050 at LSU-Alexandria to $10,418 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The TOPS scholarship program covers full tuition at public universities for students meeting academic and income requirements. Most public programs charge under $15,000 net annually, making them accessible to working students.

Is debt load manageable for Louisiana criminal justice graduates given their earning potential?

Most programs maintain reasonable debt levels, with 10 schools reporting average debt below $30,000. LSU-Alexandria graduates carry the lowest debt at $18,812, while Remington College-Shreveport shows the highest at $45,000. Given that starting salaries range from $25,372 to $58,943, graduates from lower-debt programs achieve better debt-to-income ratios. Public university graduates typically face more manageable debt loads than their private school counterparts.

Where do graduation rates indicate the strongest program support for criminal justice students?

Nicholls State University leads with a 54.3% graduation rate, followed closely by McNeese State and University of Louisiana at Lafayette, both at 52.0%. These rates significantly exceed Southern University at New Orleans' 17.9% rate. The 36-percentage-point gap suggests substantial differences in academic support, program structure, and student resources. Schools with graduation rates above 45% tend to provide more structured pathways to degree completion.

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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.