Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana State University-Shreveport makes business education remarkably accessible with a net price of just $8,130, while graduates from the University of Louisiana at Monroe earn $38,289 annually despite paying only $11,633. This gap between cost and earning potential reflects Louisiana's strong job market for business professionals in the state's oil and gas sector, petrochemical plants, and major port operations along the Mississippi River. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 10 of the 15 cheapest programs charging under $15,000 annually. The TOPS scholarship program covers full tuition at public institutions for qualifying Louisiana residents, making these already low sticker prices even more manageable. Graduation rates vary significantly across programs, from Southern University at New Orleans at 17.9% to Louisiana Tech University at 57.6%. Most schools maintain high acceptance rates above 70%, though Louisiana State University-Alexandria accepts just 57.67% of applicants while keeping costs under $8,500.

Programs

$8,130 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$34,434

Avg. Program Earnings

47.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Business Administration, Management and Operations 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	Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$15,260	$7,490	17.9%	93.5%
12	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780	$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
13	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874	$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
14	Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$17,797	$15,690	51.3%	84.8%
15	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285	$27,868	50.2%	95.2%
16	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553	$22,194	45.1%	79.9%
17	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
18	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740	$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
19	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
20	Herzing University-New Orleans Metairie, Louisiana	$21,090	$13,420	28.6%	95.0%
21	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762	$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
22	Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana	$25,159	$40,000	59.3%	63.7%
23	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939	$65,538	88.9%	11.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Louisiana State University-Shreveport the cheapest option for business students?

LSU-Shreveport charges just $8,130 net price with in-state tuition of only $7,327, making it the most affordable business program in Louisiana. The university accepts 88.91% of applicants and graduates earn $32,770 annually after completion. While the graduation rate sits at 33.2%, the low debt burden of $24,250 keeps financial risk manageable for students.

How much can graduates expect to earn from Louisiana's cheapest business programs?

Earnings range from $18,771 at Southern University at New Orleans to $38,289 at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Most graduates from affordable programs earn between $30,000 and $38,000 annually. Louisiana Tech University graduates command $37,748 despite the program costing only $12,209, showing strong return on investment in the state's energy and manufacturing sectors.

Does the TOPS scholarship cover business program costs at Louisiana public universities?

TOPS covers full tuition at public universities for qualifying Louisiana residents, significantly reducing the already low published prices. For example, LSU-Alexandria's in-state tuition of $7,050 could be completely covered, leaving only room, board, and fees. This makes schools like McNeese State University and Southeastern Louisiana University even more affordable for state residents meeting academic requirements.

What explains the wide range in graduation rates among affordable business programs?

Graduation rates span from 17.9% at Southern University at New Orleans to 57.6% at Louisiana Tech University among the most affordable options. Schools with acceptance rates above 95% like Nicholls State and Northwestern State tend to have lower completion rates around 44-54%. More selective programs like Louisiana Tech, which accepts 62.37% of applicants, achieve higher graduation rates while maintaining affordable costs.

Where do the most expensive affordable programs still offer good value?

Xavier University of Louisiana costs $18,285 net but graduates earn $28,236 annually in a market with strong demand for business professionals. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University charges $17,797 with a solid 51.3% graduation rate. These private options cost more than public alternatives but maintain smaller class sizes and specialized programs while staying under $19,000 annually.

More Business Administration, Management and Operations Rankings

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All Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs Best Colleges in Louisiana Best Business Administration, Management and Operations in Louisiana

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.