Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Louisiana

McNeese State University stands out with the highest earnings potential at $46,673 while maintaining a low net cost of $11,257, making it a clear leader among Louisiana's 15 teacher education programs. The earnings gap tells a compelling story, with graduates earning between $29,540 and $46,673 depending on their school choice. Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program covers tuition at public universities for qualifying students, creating additional value at schools like LSU-Shreveport where the net cost drops to just $8,130. The state's growing energy sector and expanding port operations create demand for math, science, and technical education teachers, particularly in industrial parishes where specialized subject knowledge commands premium salaries. Private institutions like Centenary College charge significantly more at $25,159 net cost, while public options dominate the affordable tier with most programs under $15,000.

Programs

$8,130 – $25,159

Net Price Range

$37,211

Avg. Program Earnings

48.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$46,673	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
2	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$37,328	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
3	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$40,945	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
4	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874	$39,369	$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
5	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$29,540	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
6	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$35,416	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
7	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$31,205	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
8	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	$25,159		$40,000	59.3%	63.7%
9	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130		$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
10	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209		$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
11	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762		$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
12	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091		$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
13	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780		$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
14	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740		$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
15	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285		$27,868	50.2%	95.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,133 earnings difference between the highest and lowest paying programs?

McNeese State graduates earn $46,673 compared to $29,540 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, reflecting regional job market variations and subject specializations. McNeese's location in Lake Charles, near major petrochemical facilities, creates demand for science and technical education teachers. Louisiana's industrial corridor offers higher salaries for educators with specialized knowledge in STEM fields. The 71% acceptance rate at McNeese also suggests more selective admissions compared to schools with 98% acceptance rates.

How does Louisiana's TOPS scholarship affect the actual cost of teacher education programs?

TOPS covers tuition at public universities for students meeting academic requirements, significantly reducing costs at schools like LSU-Shreveport where net costs reach just $8,130. Northwestern State's net cost of $13,809 includes living expenses since TOPS only covers tuition and fees. Students at public institutions benefit most, as the scholarship doesn't apply to private schools like Louisiana Christian University at $16,874 net cost. The program makes teacher education particularly affordable for Louisiana residents pursuing public university degrees.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost among Louisiana teacher education schools?

LSU Baton Rouge shows the highest graduation rate at 71% with a net cost of $20,015, while lower-cost options often have modest completion rates. Grambling State's 32% graduation rate comes despite charging $19,125, suggesting cost alone doesn't guarantee success. McNeese State achieves both strong earnings outcomes and a 52% graduation rate at moderate cost. The data shows that mid-range public institutions often provide the best balance of affordability and completion rates.

Where do Louisiana teacher education graduates find the most employment opportunities?

Louisiana's industrial parishes around Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans offer premium salaries for teachers with science and technical expertise. The state's petrochemical industry creates demand for chemistry and physics teachers, while expanding port operations need mathematics and logistics education specialists. Rural parishes face teacher shortages, providing immediate employment but often at lower salaries than urban and industrial areas. Recent data shows particular demand for bilingual educators in parishes with growing Hispanic populations.

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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.