2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Louisiana

1

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Our analysis ranked Louisiana State University Shreveport the best value for a degree in general studies in Louisiana. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $34,855. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

2

Sowela Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sowela Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,391. General Studies graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,391 median debt.

3

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

A rank of #3 makes Louisiana State University Alexandria one of the best values for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,863 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,463. That is a strong return on a $20,863 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

Louisiana Delta Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $4,159. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,141. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Louisiana State University Eunice
Eunice, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University Eunice earned it the #5 place for general studies. Located in the town of Eunice, Louisiana State University Eunice is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,802, with out-of-state students paying around $10,166. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Eunice generally make around $27,391. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

6

South Louisiana Community College
Lafayette, LA

South Louisiana Community College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,278 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $21,569 early in their careers. Set against $18,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA

Northshore Technical Community College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lacombe, Northshore Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,299 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,815. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,601. Set against $14,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, LA

Bossier Parish Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $19,750. General Studies graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $27,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.

9

River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA

River Parishes Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Gonzales, River Parishes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,079. Students borrow a median of $20,608 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from River Parishes Community College generally make around $49,694. Set against $20,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Nunez Community College
Chalmette, LA

Nunez Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Chalmette, Nunez Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,255 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,727 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,321. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,300. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,650. Set against $17,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Students borrow a median of $26,844 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $35,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,844 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University earned the #13 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,063. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $36,466. Set against $22,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

L E Fletcher Technical Community College
Schriever, LA

L E Fletcher Technical Community College landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Schriever. In-state tuition and fees average $4,219. Students borrow a median of $5,396 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of L E Fletcher Technical Community College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $5,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Delgado Community College is a large public school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $4,279. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Delgado Community College generally make around $26,311. Set against $24,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,888. Set against $24,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $33,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.

18

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,368. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,418. That is a strong return on a $27,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

19

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

20

Southern University At Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Southern University At Shreveport ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,958. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southern University At Shreveport earn a median of $17,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Southern University At New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Southern University At New Orleans earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054, while out-of-state students pay about $16,954. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $55,541. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

22

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,683, compared with $16,706 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $40,941 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grambling State University admits about 45% of applicants.

23

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,077. Early-career general studies graduates make about $54,082. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.