At $8,130/yr net price, Louisiana State University-Shreveport graduates earn $47,477/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,477/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,130 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $32,520 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,477/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,477/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,302/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,758/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,613/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,616/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,034/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $54,322 | $23,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $53,608 | $25,179 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $26,370 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,589 | $25,298 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,276 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $17,545 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,770 | $24,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $30,047 | $20,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $22,969 |
The Risk Factor
33.2% of students at Louisiana State University-Shreveport 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
LSU-Shreveport gives you a low-cost degree with modest payoff. At just over $8,000 a year, your net price is well below most four-year schools, and median debt at graduation stays reasonable. The problem is what happens after: median earnings a decade out land in the high $40,000s, so this is a school where the low price, not the salary, drives the return.
Your major decides everything here. Computer science is the clear winner, paying over $54,000 and carrying about the same debt load as accounting, which pays $7,000 less. Accounting and teacher education both leave you with debt near $25,000 for salaries in the $40,000 range, so the math is tighter. Marketing sits at the bottom for pay, around $33,000, but it also carries the lowest debt of any listed program at under $18,000 , a softer landing if the salary disappoints. Criminal justice pays similarly low and reflects Shreveport-area public sector and corrections work.
The real risk is finishing. A 33% graduation rate and a 62% retention rate mean a large share of people who enroll leave without a degree , and if you borrow and don't graduate, you carry debt with none of the earnings. That risk outweighs the price advantage for anyone unsure they'll stay.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families: if your household earns under $48,000, you pay less than $7,000 a year. Above $75,000, your price jumps past $12,000 and keeps climbing. This is a strong financial fit if you qualify for the lower tiers, plan to major in computer science or accounting, and are confident you'll graduate. If you'd be paying the top-tier price for a lower-earning major, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana State University-Shreveport worth the cost?
LSU-Shreveport offers decent value with a low net price of $8,130 per year and moderate debt levels around $22,500. However, the 33% graduation rate and $47,477 median earnings 10 years after graduation suggest mixed returns on investment.
What are the best paying majors at Louisiana State University-Shreveport?
Computer Science leads with $54,322 average earnings, followed by Health and Medical Administrative Services at $53,608. These programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to the school's overall median earnings of $47,477.
How much student debt do Louisiana State University-Shreveport graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $22,500 in debt, which is manageable given the low annual cost. With median earnings around $47,000, most graduates should be able to handle this debt load.
Why is the graduation rate so low at Louisiana State University-Shreveport?
Only 33% of students graduate, which is well below national averages. This high dropout rate means many students pay tuition without earning a degree, making the investment risky despite the low cost.