2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Louisiana
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Louisiana? This list ranks 113 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 16 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Louisiana
Explore the best-value schools below:
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Louisiana. Located in Shreveport, LA, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,907. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,477 ten years after entry. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants. Read more about Louisiana State University Shreveport
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana Tech University earned it the #2 place in Louisiana. Louisiana Tech University is a public school based in Ruston, LA. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. Get the full Louisiana Tech University report
Out of the 16 schools in Louisiana in this year's value ranking, Mcneese State University landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Lake Charles, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,433. Median earnings reach $46,453 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Mcneese State University report
A rank of #4 makes Nicholls State University one of the best values in Louisiana. This public school is set in Thibodaux, LA. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,513. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,454. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Nicholls State University
You'll get strong value at University Of Louisiana Monroe, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Monroe, LA, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Students borrow a median of $22,465 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $46,769 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Louisiana Monroe
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hammond, LA, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. See the full Southeastern Louisiana University profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public school based in Lafayette, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. University Of Louisiana Lafayette Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,373 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,089. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,061. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana alumni report median earnings of $47,021 a decade after entry. Set against $28,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants. More on Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
University Of New Orleans landed the #10 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Based in New Orleans, LA, University Of New Orleans is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. University Of New Orleans alumni report median earnings of $47,872 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read more about University Of New Orleans
Southern University And A And M College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Southern University And A And M College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,922 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,272. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $33,288. Southern University And A And M College alumni report median earnings of $43,371 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted. More on Southern University And A And M College
Grambling State University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Grambling, LA, Grambling State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,683, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Students borrow a median of $40,941 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,109. Set against $40,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full Grambling State University profile
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in New Orleans, LA, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,576. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $49,316 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read more about Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
Xavier University Of Louisiana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,979. Xavier University Of Louisiana Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,777 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University Of Louisiana has an acceptance rate of 69%. See the full Xavier University Of Louisiana profile
Loyola University New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in New Orleans, LA, Loyola University New Orleans is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,606. Median earnings reach $52,927 ten years out. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University New Orleans has an acceptance rate of 93%. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #16 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,077. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,268 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. About 14% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Tulane University Of Louisiana
Blue Cliff College Alexandria landed the #17 spot for value in Louisiana this year. See the full Blue Cliff College Alexandria profile
Guys Shreveport Academy Of Cosmetology Inc landed the #18 spot for value in Louisiana this year. More on Guys Shreveport Academy Of Cosmetology Inc
Louisiana Academy Of Beauty came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Louisiana Academy Of Beauty
Pineville Beauty School offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Pineville Beauty School
Unitech Training Academy Lafayette landed the #21 spot for value in Louisiana this year. More on Unitech Training Academy Lafayette
Louisiana Culinary Institute placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Louisiana. Read the full report on Louisiana Culinary Institute
Southern University Board And System landed the #23 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Get the full Southern University Board And System report
Avery James School Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Avery James School Of Cosmetology report
South Louisiana Beauty College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about South Louisiana Beauty College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Louisiana
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Herzing University Kenner landed the #26 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read more about Herzing University Kenner
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans report
Southern University At New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Southern University At New Orleans
Celebrity Stylist Beauty School landed the #29 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read more about Celebrity Stylist Beauty School
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Omega Institute Of Cosmetology came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Omega Institute Of Cosmetology profile
Moore Career College placed #32 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Louisiana. More on Moore Career College
Aveda Institute Covington came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Aveda Institute Covington report
Louisiana College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Louisiana College
Healthcare Training Institute Kenner came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Healthcare Training Institute Kenner profile
Vh Barber And Styling Academy landed the #36 spot for value in Louisiana this year. See the full Vh Barber And Styling Academy profile
L E Fletcher Technical Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about L E Fletcher Technical Community College
Centenary College Of Louisiana offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Centenary College Of Louisiana
Northshore Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Northshore Technical Community College report
Crescent City Bartending School came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. See the full Crescent City Bartending School profile
Delta College Of Arts And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Delta College Of Arts And Technology
Career Technical College Monroe landed the #42 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read more about Career Technical College Monroe
New Orleans Culinary And Hospitality Institute placed #43 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Louisiana. Get the full New Orleans Culinary And Hospitality Institute report
University Of Louisiana System Administration offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full University Of Louisiana System Administration report
Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #45 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Louisiana. Get the full Louisiana State University Alexandria report
Cosmetology Training Center placed #46 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Louisiana. Read the full report on Cosmetology Training Center
Southern University At Shreveport ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Southern University At Shreveport
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Xavier University Of Louisiana offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Xavier University Of Louisiana report
Infinity College
Infinity College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Infinity College
Unitech Training Academy West Monroe came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Unitech Training Academy West Monroe
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 16 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 113 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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