At $25,159/yr net price, Centenary College of Louisiana graduates earn $50,330/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,330/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,159 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,330/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,330/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,875/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,245/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,985/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,486/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,530/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, Other. | Master | $45,305 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,459 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
The Risk Factor
59.3% of students at Centenary College of Louisiana graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Centenary College of Louisiana gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. You pay about $25,000 a year net, and ten years out the median graduate earns just over $50,000. That gap between your yearly cost and your eventual pay makes this a slow payoff. The $27,000 median debt load is manageable against $50,330 in earnings, but only if you actually reach that median.
The program-level numbers are the problem. The two top-earning bachelor's programs here, Communication and Media Studies and Business Administration, both land around $33,000 a year early on. Those are the strongest listed, and they still start well below the school's own median. If you enroll expecting business or communications to fund a quick loan payoff, plan for a longer climb. The Shreveport job market does not offer the kind of corporate salaries that would speed that up.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. A 59% graduation rate means four in ten students who start do not walk away with a degree, and a 75% retention rate means a quarter leave after year one. If you borrow and then drop out, you carry debt with no degree behind it. That is the worst outcome here, and the odds of it are not small.
The net price tiers are nearly flat. Coming from a family earning under $30,000, you pay about $22,900, barely less than the $28,500 a family over $110,000 pays. Aid does not scale much with income, so lower-income families get little price break relative to wealthier ones.
This school fits you if you want a small private college experience, are confident you will graduate, and are not counting on a high starting salary. If you need strong early earnings to justify the cost, look at cheaper or higher-paying options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centenary College of Louisiana worth the cost?
With graduates earning $50,330 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $27,000, Centenary College offers reasonable value for Louisiana. The education program produces the highest earnings at $45,305, while other majors show weaker returns on investment.
What are the best paying majors at Centenary College of Louisiana?
Education majors earn the most at $45,305 annually, making it the strongest financial choice. Communication and media studies graduates earn $33,459, while business majors earn $32,925, both significantly below the school average.
How much debt do Centenary College of Louisiana students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $27,000, which is manageable given the $50,330 average earnings ten years post-graduation. Students can expect to pay roughly 54% of their annual salary toward total educational debt.
Does Centenary College of Louisiana have good graduation rates?
The graduation rate is 59.30%, meaning about 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree. This below-average completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.