At $43,939/yr net price, Tulane University of Louisiana graduates earn $63,268/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,268/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $43,939 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $175,756 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,268/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,268/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 88.9% |
| 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 | $20,957/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,974/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,839/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,543/yr |
| $110,001+ | $58,219/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $102,409 | $80,203 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $87,973 | $83,281 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $78,343 | $73,344 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $67,660 | $149,237 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,629 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $64,281 | $21,250 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $59,288 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $58,221 |
The Risk Factor
88.9% of students at Tulane University of Louisiana graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Tulane's financial return is mixed, and the reason comes down to sticker price. You pay nearly $44,000 a year on average, and ten years out the median graduate earns just over $63,000. That gap is wide for a private school, and it means your outcome depends heavily on what you study and what you actually pay.
Chemical engineering is the clear winner here, with graduates out-earning every other program by several thousand dollars. Finance follows close behind, and business administration lands in respectable territory. But marketing and general computer science graduates start under $51,000, which is a weak return against Tulane's cost. If you're paying full freight for a marketing degree, the math does not work in your favor.
The specific risk at Tulane is the cost itself. The good news is that debt stays low and manageable, and almost everyone who enrolls comes back for a second year and finishes. You are unlikely to drop out with loans and no degree, which is the worst-case scenario at many schools. So the danger isn't failing to graduate. It's overpaying for a degree in a field that doesn't earn enough to justify the price.
The net price tiers show where Tulane makes sense. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $21,000 to $23,000 a year, and at that price the return is solid across most majors. If you're over $110,000, you're looking at more than $58,000 a year, and that only pays off in the higher-earning programs.
Tulane fits you if you land aid or target engineering, finance, or business. If you'll pay near full price for a lower-earning major, look harder at the numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tulane University of Louisiana worth the high cost?
Tulane's $44,000 annual net price creates mixed ROI depending on your major. Finance graduates earn $102,000 annually while other programs may not justify the cost, especially with 10-year median earnings of $63,000.
What majors at Tulane University of Louisiana have the best return on investment?
Finance leads with $102,000 in early career earnings, followed by business administration at $88,000. Chemical engineering and general business majors see lower returns despite the same tuition costs.
How much debt do Tulane University of Louisiana graduates typically have?
Tulane graduates carry a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to the high sticker price. The 88.9% graduation rate helps ensure most students finish their degrees.
Does Tulane University of Louisiana provide enough financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $44,000 after aid, Tulane remains expensive for most families. The 11% acceptance rate means competition for merit aid is intense.