Best Colleges in Louisiana 2026

Louisiana has 61 colleges and universities in our database; 52 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).

Schools Ranked

$44,505

Avg. Earnings

52.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Louisiana Culinary Institute Baton Rouge, Louisiana	90.5%	$40,359	50.0%	$15,575
2	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	88.9%	$63,268	11.5%	$65,538
3	ITI Technical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	55.6%	$68,342		$11,711
4	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	71.0%	$61,251	75.7%	$11,954
5	Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Minden, Louisiana	73.0%	$32,503		$4,109
6	Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, Louisiana	75.2%	$29,558		$4,099
7	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	57.6%	$52,279	62.4%	$10,125
8	Academy of Interactive Entertainment Lafayette, Louisiana	100.0%		42.6%	$24,600
9	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	52.0%	$46,453	71.2%	$8,460
10	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	50.6%	$46,769	70.1%	$9,190
11	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	52.0%	$47,089	74.6%	$10,418
12	SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, Louisiana	43.2%	$32,303		$4,265
13	Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, Louisiana	51.3%	$59,419	84.8%	$15,690
14	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	32.3%	$41,109	42.4%	$7,683
15	University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	42.5%	$47,872	69.8%	$9,172
16	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	35.5%	$42,205	57.7%	$7,050
17	River Parishes Community College Gonzales, Louisiana	31.1%	$37,848		$4,079
18	Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, Louisiana	35.2%	$29,734		$4,203
19	Fortis College-Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, Louisiana	45.0%	$32,886		$16,167
20	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	54.3%	$45,454	98.4%	$8,173
21	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	28.5%	$43,371	53.9%	$9,940
22	Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	27.5%	$34,581		$4,221
23	South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, Louisiana	30.0%	$31,432		$4,210
24	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	59.3%	$50,330	63.7%	$40,000
25	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	41.3%	$51,700	74.6%	$19,740