At $20,015/yr net price, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn $61,251/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,251/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,015 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,060 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,251/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,251/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,035/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,014/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,261/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,140/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,244/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine. | Bachelor | $78,029 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,949 | $21,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,402 | $18,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $71,015 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,965 | $20,218 |
| Veterinary Medicine. | Doctoral | $67,660 | $162,000 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $23,037 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,915 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,005 | $20,500 |
The Risk Factor
71.0% of students at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
LSU gives you a solid financial return with low borrowing. Median debt sits at $20,500, and it matches the median 10-year earnings closely enough that most graduates clear their loans without strain. A 71% graduation rate and 84% retention mean you're likely to finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off at all.
The engineering programs are where LSU earns its keep. Chemical engineering graduates pull $76,460, industrial engineering $73,949, and mechanical engineering $71,402 while carrying below-average debt at $18,500. These fields anchor to Louisiana's petrochemical and industrial corridor along the Mississippi River, so the local job market backs up the salary numbers. Veterinary medicine tops the list at $78,029. If you're aiming for any of these, the math works strongly in your favor.
The listed programs skew technical, so the payoff outside engineering and vet medicine is less clear from the numbers here. If your interest sits in a lower-earning field, you'll be closer to the school-wide median, and that median doesn't leave much cushion above your debt.
Net price is the real variable for your family. Under $30k income, you pay $14,035. over $110k, it climbs to $26,244. That's a $12,000 annual gap, meaning a higher-income family pays roughly $48,000 more across four years than a lower-income one. At the top tier, you're paying full private-school-adjacent money for a public degree, so the return depends heavily on landing in a high-earning major.
LSU fits you well if you're pursuing engineering or veterinary medicine and want in-state costs with a strong regional pipeline. If you're paying the top net price tier for a lower-earning program, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College worth the cost?
LSU offers solid value with a net price of $20,015 and graduates earning $61,251 after 10 years. The engineering and veterinary programs deliver strong returns, though the 71% graduation rate means nearly 3 in 10 students don't finish.
What are the highest paying majors at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College?
Veterinary Medicine leads at $78,029, followed by Chemical Engineering at $76,460 and Industrial Engineering at $73,949. These programs justify the cost better than most other majors at LSU.
How much debt do Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates have?
LSU graduates carry a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable given the $61,251 average earnings. The debt-to-income ratio works out to about one-third of first-year salary.
Does Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College have good financial aid?
LSU's net price of $20,015 represents decent financial aid for a flagship state university. In-state students typically pay less, while out-of-state students face higher costs that may not justify the investment.