Best Value Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Louisiana

Northwestern State University stands out among Louisiana's 18 Fine and Studio Arts programs with graduates earning $30,409 annually while keeping costs at just $13,809 net price. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans $15,227, with McNeese State at the lower end despite similar costs. Louisiana's cultural economy, anchored by New Orleans' music and arts districts plus growing film production incentives, creates opportunities for studio artists beyond traditional gallery spaces. Public universities dominate the value proposition here, with eight of the top nine most affordable options carrying net prices under $15,000. The state's TOPS scholarship program covers full tuition for qualifying students at public institutions, making programs like Southeastern Louisiana University even more accessible at $12,174 net cost.

Programs

$8,130 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$22,482

Avg. Program Earnings

50.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$30,409	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
2	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$25,395	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
3	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$21,508	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
4	University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$11,147	$19,455	$9,172	42.5%	69.8%
5	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091	$20,687	$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
6	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$22,602	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
7	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$15,182	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
8	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$24,615	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
9	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285		$27,868	50.2%	95.2%
10	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	$25,159		$40,000	59.3%	63.7%
11	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939		$65,538	88.9%	11.5%
12	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740		$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
13	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762		$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
14	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209		$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
15	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874		$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
16	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130		$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
17	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125		$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
18	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553		$22,194	45.1%	79.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $15,227 earnings difference between Northwestern State and McNeese State graduates?

Northwestern State graduates earn $30,409 compared to McNeese's $15,182, despite similar net costs around $11,000-$13,000. Northwestern's location in Natchitoches places graduates near Louisiana's folk arts corridor and tourism industry. McNeese's Lake Charles location, while near petrochemical industries, may offer fewer direct fine arts opportunities. Both schools have similar acceptance rates above 70%, suggesting program selectivity isn't the differentiating factor.

How does the TOPS scholarship affect Fine and Studio Arts costs in Louisiana?

TOPS covers full tuition at public universities for students meeting academic requirements, significantly reducing the listed in-state costs. For example, Southeastern Louisiana's $8,373 in-state cost could drop to just room, board, and fees with TOPS coverage. This makes public programs even more attractive compared to private options like Tulane at $43,939 net price. The scholarship particularly benefits middle-income families who might not qualify for need-based aid at private institutions.

Is Tulane University worth the $43,939 cost for Fine Arts students?

Tulane's 88.9% graduation rate far exceeds other Louisiana programs, with most public options ranging from 28.5% to 57.6%. The school's New Orleans location provides access to galleries, museums, and cultural organizations. However, earnings data isn't available for Tulane graduates, making direct value comparison difficult. Students must weigh the higher completion rates and networking opportunities against the substantial cost premium over public alternatives.

Where do Louisiana Fine Arts graduates find the best job markets?

New Orleans offers the strongest concentration of galleries, museums, and cultural nonprofits, with four universities in the metro area. Baton Rouge provides government arts positions and LSU's resources as the flagship institution. The state's growing film industry, supported by tax incentives, creates opportunities in production design and set decoration. Rural areas like Natchitoches leverage tourism and folk arts, while Lafayette taps into Acadiana's cultural preservation efforts.

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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.