Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana State University-Shreveport delivers the state's most affordable Liberal Arts and Sciences education at just $8,130 net price, while Tulane commands $43,939 for similar programs. This $35,809 gap reflects a broader divide between public and private options across Louisiana's 19 programs. LSU's flagship campus in Baton Rouge graduates 71% of liberal arts students, the highest rate among public universities in the state. These programs prepare graduates for Louisiana's diversifying economy, where energy companies, port authorities, and government agencies increasingly value critical thinking and communication skills that liberal arts training provides. The state's TOPS scholarship program helps qualifying students attend public universities tuition-free, making programs like LSU-Shreveport and LSU-Alexandria particularly attractive with their sub-$9,000 costs.

Programs

$8,130 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$28,851

Avg. Program Earnings

46.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130	$30,047	$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
2	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	$8,365	$25,194	$7,050	35.5%	57.7%
3	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$31,042	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
4	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$29,006	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
5	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209	$29,374	$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
6	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$28,055	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
7	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$29,852	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
8	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$25,812	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
9	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$27,204	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
10	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939	$32,925	$65,538	88.9%	11.5%
11	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091		$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
12	University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$11,147		$9,172	42.5%	69.8%
13	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762		$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
14	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780		$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
15	Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$17,797		$15,690	51.3%	84.8%
16	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874		$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
17	Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$15,260		$7,490	17.9%	93.5%
18	Louisiana State University-Eunice Eunice, Louisiana	$9,619		$4,730	13.9%
19	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125		$7,683	32.3%	42.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the massive price difference between Louisiana's most and least expensive liberal arts programs?

LSU-Shreveport charges $8,130 net price while Tulane costs $43,939, creating a $35,809 gap. Public universities benefit from state funding and the TOPS scholarship program, which covers tuition for qualifying Louisiana residents. Private institutions like Tulane and Loyola New Orleans charge premium rates but often provide smaller classes and different campus experiences. The earnings data shows Tulane graduates earn $32,925 compared to LSU-Shreveport's $30,047, a modest $2,878 difference that may not justify the massive cost gap.

How do graduation rates vary among Louisiana's liberal arts programs?

Tulane leads with an 88.9% graduation rate, followed by LSU Baton Rouge at 71% and Loyola New Orleans at 67.4%. Among public universities, Louisiana Tech achieves 57.6% while LSU-Alexandria manages just 35.5%. The data reveals a clear correlation between selectivity and graduation success. Tulane accepts only 11.45% of applicants while LSU-Shreveport accepts 88.91%, suggesting that admission standards significantly impact completion rates.

Is the TOPS scholarship making Louisiana liberal arts programs more accessible?

TOPS covers full tuition at Louisiana public universities for qualifying students, making schools like LSU-Shreveport and LSU-Alexandria extremely affordable. With net prices under $9,000, these programs become accessible to middle-class families who might struggle with private tuition. Eight of Louisiana's public universities charge under $15,000 net price for liberal arts degrees. This state investment helps explain why schools like Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State maintain near-universal acceptance rates above 97%.

What career opportunities exist for liberal arts graduates in Louisiana's economy?

Louisiana's energy sector, port operations, and government agencies value the analytical and communication skills liberal arts programs develop. Graduates earning $25,194 to $32,925 find opportunities in corporate communications, public administration, and business analysis. The state's growing tourism industry, centered in New Orleans, also creates demand for graduates with cultural knowledge and writing abilities. Energy companies like Shell and ExxonMobil maintain major Louisiana operations requiring liberal arts skills for community relations, regulatory compliance, and corporate communications roles.

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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.