At $19,125/yr net price, Grambling State University graduates earn $41,109/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,109/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,125 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,109/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,109/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $36,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,447/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,923/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,591/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,096/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,356/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $82,204 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $68,219 | |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $40,485 | $35,750 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $39,009 | $73,228 |
| Social Work. | Master | $36,745 | $53,248 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $36,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $34,277 | $64,461 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $34,378 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Master | $31,839 | $55,234 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $34,000 |
The Risk Factor
32.3% of students at Grambling State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Grambling State's financial return is weak overall, and your major choice decides everything. The median graduate earns about $41,000 ten years out while carrying $36,500 in debt, so the typical outcome barely clears the debt load. A 32% graduation rate is the bigger problem: most people who enroll never finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, the math collapses entirely.
Nursing is the one program that clearly pays off. At roughly $68,000, nursing graduates out-earn every other major here by more than $27,000, and Louisiana hospitals hire steadily. If you can get into and finish nursing, Grambling works financially.
Everything else struggles. Engineering technology, teacher education, accounting, and business administration all land between $30,000 and $40,000 while piling up $34,000 to $36,000 in debt. Business administration is the worst of the group: you take on $34,000 to earn about $30,000. Teacher education and accounting sit in the same trap, decent-sounding degrees that don't produce salaries big enough to service the loans comfortably.
The net price structure adds a specific risk. Costs barely drop for low-income families, and if you come from a household under $30,000, you still owe about $16,000 a year. Wealthier families pay more, near $24,000, but they can absorb it. For the many Pell-eligible students here, that $16,000 annual price against a $41,000 median salary is the danger zone, especially given the odds of not graduating.
This school is a good fit if you're committed to nursing and confident you'll finish. If you're aiming at business, education, or accounting, price the debt against those salaries carefully first, and look at cheaper in-state options before borrowing $34,000 for a degree that pays in the low thirties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grambling State University worth the cost?
Grambling State University's return on investment depends heavily on your major. Nursing programs lead to strong earnings around $68,000-$82,000, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $41,109 barely justify the $36,500 median debt for most other programs.
What are the highest paying majors at Grambling State University?
Nursing programs at Grambling State University offer the best financial returns, with graduates earning $68,000-$82,000 annually. Engineering Technology graduates earn around $40,485, while most other programs result in significantly lower earnings that may not cover student debt effectively.
How much debt do Grambling State University graduates have?
Grambling State University graduates carry a median debt of $36,500. With overall median earnings of $41,109 ten years after graduation, many graduates outside of nursing face challenging debt-to-income ratios.
What is the graduation rate at Grambling State University?
Only 32.30% of students graduate from Grambling State University within six years. This low completion rate significantly increases the financial risk for students who may accumulate debt without earning a degree.