2026 Best Value Education Schools in Louisiana

1

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

For return on investment in education, no school beat Louisiana State University Shreveport this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $48,717 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

2

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University Alexandria earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,656. Education graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $40,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.

3

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

A rank of #3 makes Louisiana Delta Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,159. Students borrow a median of $14,024 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Louisiana Delta Community College earn a median of $35,839 early in their careers. Set against $14,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA

A rank of #4 makes Baton Rouge Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,321. Education graduates carry a median of $17,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $43,394. Set against $17,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

A rank of #5 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for education. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,514. Early-career education graduates make about $47,905. Set against $24,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.

6

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $42,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe earned the #7 position for value in education this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,003. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $49,559. That is a strong return on a $25,003 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,279. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,283. Education graduates of Delgado Community College earn a median of $36,073 early in their careers. Set against $25,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,692 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $48,302. That is a strong return on a $22,692 median debt. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.

10

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,600 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,864. Set against $23,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.

11

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,341 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,380. That is a strong return on a $25,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

12

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #12 for value in education this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,448 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,324. That is a strong return on a $27,448 median debt. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.

13

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,821. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $31,074. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

14

Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
New Orleans, LA

Our Lady Of Holy Cross College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,576. Typical student debt for education graduates is $43,500. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Our Lady Of Holy Cross College generally make around $60,004. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College admits about 74% of applicants.

15

Southern University At New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Southern University At New Orleans ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054, while out-of-state students pay about $16,954. Typical student debt for education graduates is $54,647. Early-career education graduates make about $37,296. Set against $54,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

16

Louisiana College
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pineville. Students from in state pay about $20,266 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Louisiana College generally make around $48,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Typical student debt for education graduates is $37,449. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $22,864. That is a strong return on a $37,449 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

18

Southern University And A And M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University And A And M College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Students borrow a median of $33,288 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $45,304 early in their careers. Set against $33,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.

19

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $22,551 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $32,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Education graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.