Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana State University-Shreveport offers the state's most affordable teacher education program at $8,130 net cost, nearly three times less expensive than Centenary College of Louisiana at $25,159. This $17,000 gap reflects the divide between public and private options across Louisiana's 15 teacher preparation programs. McNeese State graduates earn the highest median salary at $46,673, while University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates start at $29,540 despite similar program costs. Louisiana's growing petrochemical industry and expanding port operations create demand for specialized technical education teachers, particularly in STEM fields. The state's TOPS scholarship program covers full tuition at public universities for qualifying students, making schools like LSU-Shreveport even more accessible. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with eight of the ten cheapest programs offered by state institutions.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $38,000 salary difference between McNeese State and University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates?

McNeese State graduates earn $46,673 compared to $29,540 at UL Lafayette, despite similar net costs around $11,000-$14,000. McNeese's location in Lake Charles places graduates near major petrochemical facilities and refineries that often hire technical education teachers. The school's 52% graduation rate matches UL Lafayette, suggesting program quality rather than completion drives the earnings gap. Regional employer demand and specialization areas likely influence these salary outcomes.

How do Louisiana's TOPS scholarships affect actual costs for teacher education students?

TOPS covers full tuition at public universities, making the advertised in-state rates essentially free for qualifying students. LSU-Shreveport's $7,327 in-state tuition becomes zero under TOPS, while net costs of $8,130 reflect only room, board, and fees. Students at schools like Nicholls State ($8,173 tuition) and Southeastern Louisiana ($8,373) pay nothing for instruction with TOPS. Private schools like Xavier at $27,868 tuition receive no TOPS benefits.

Is the 98% acceptance rate at schools like Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana concerning?

These high acceptance rates reflect Louisiana's teacher shortage rather than low standards, as the state actively recruits education majors. Nicholls State achieves a 54.3% graduation rate despite 98.43% acceptance, while Southeastern Louisiana graduates 44.8% of students. Both schools maintain reasonable outcomes given their open-access mission. Louisiana needs more teachers across all subjects, particularly in rural parishes where these universities often place graduates.

Where do graduates with $36,000 debt from Grambling State find teaching positions?

Grambling State's $36,000 median debt exceeds other public universities despite similar net costs, likely reflecting longer completion times. The school's 32.3% graduation rate suggests many students take additional years to finish, accumulating more debt. Graduates earning $35,416 work primarily in northern Louisiana school districts where starting salaries are lower than urban areas. The 42.37% acceptance rate indicates more selective admission than other public options, potentially serving students needing additional academic support.

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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.