Cheapest Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana State University-Shreveport delivers the state's most affordable accounting education with a net price of just $8,130, while private institutions like Xavier University of Louisiana charge $18,285. This $10,000 gap reflects the significant cost advantage of public universities, particularly when combined with Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program that covers tuition for qualifying students. The state's accounting graduates enter a job market shaped by major oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and the Port of New Orleans, creating steady demand for financial professionals who understand complex industrial operations. Earnings data shows considerable variation, from $31,987 at Nicholls State to $47,260 at LSU-Shreveport, while graduation rates span from 33% to 58% across the 15 programs. Louisiana's low cost of living helps stretch entry-level salaries further than comparable positions in other states.

Programs

$8,130 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$40,223

Avg. Program Earnings

48.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana	$8,130	$7,327	33.2%	88.9%
2	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	$8,365	$7,050	35.5%	57.7%
3	University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$11,147	$9,172	42.5%	69.8%
4	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
5	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
6	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091	$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
7	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
8	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209	$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
9	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
10	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
11	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780	$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
12	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874	$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
13	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285	$27,868	50.2%	95.2%
14	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553	$22,194	45.1%	79.9%
15	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
16	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740	$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
17	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
18	Herzing University-New Orleans Metairie, Louisiana	$21,090	$13,420	28.6%	95.0%
19	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762	$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
20	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	$25,159	$40,000	59.3%	63.7%
21	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939	$65,538	88.9%	11.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes LSU-Shreveport's accounting program so affordable compared to other options?

LSU-Shreveport charges just $8,130 net price for accounting students, making it the cheapest option in Louisiana by over $200. The university's in-state tuition of $7,327 becomes even more affordable with Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program. Students graduate with median debt of $26,370, which is manageable given the $47,260 average earnings for program graduates. The combination of low tuition and strong post-graduation earnings creates an excellent return on investment.

How do graduation rates compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Louisiana Tech University, with a net price of $12,209, achieves the highest graduation rate at 57.60%. In contrast, LSU-Shreveport, the cheapest option at $8,130, has a 33.20% graduation rate. Nicholls State University shows that affordability doesn't guarantee completion, with a 54.30% graduation rate despite the second-lowest earnings at $31,987. The data suggests that program quality and student support matter as much as price for degree completion.

Is the earnings gap between programs worth considering for career prospects?

Graduates from LSU-Shreveport earn $47,260 annually, while Nicholls State graduates earn $31,987, creating a $15,000+ difference in starting salaries. McNeese State and UL Monroe fall in between at $38,829 and $39,369 respectively. The higher earnings at LSU-Shreveport help offset the slightly higher debt load of $26,370 compared to UL Monroe's $13,036. Louisiana's oil and gas industry often provides accounting opportunities with advancement potential beyond these starting figures.

Does attending a private university provide better value than public options for accounting?

Private institutions in Louisiana charge significantly more, with Xavier University at $18,285 and University of Holy Cross at $16,780 net price. These costs are roughly double the public university average of around $12,000. Xavier achieves a 50.20% graduation rate, which is competitive but not strong compared to public options. The earnings data suggests public universities provide better value, particularly when factoring in Louisiana's TOPS scholarship benefits for qualifying students.

Where do Louisiana accounting programs rank in terms of student debt burden?

University of Louisiana at Monroe produces graduates with the lowest median debt at $13,036, followed closely by University of New Orleans at $14,475. Grambling State creates the highest debt burden at $34,378 despite being a public institution. LSU-Shreveport graduates carry $26,370 in debt, which represents a reasonable debt-to-income ratio given their $47,260 average earnings. Most programs keep debt levels manageable relative to Louisiana's cost of living and regional salary expectations.

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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.