by our College Data Analytics TeamLouisiana Tech University ranks #1 of 31 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Louisiana ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 51% six-year graduation rate and $53,233 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Louisiana, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **31** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 31 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Louisiana Tech University leads the 31 ranked colleges in Louisiana, followed by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (#2) and University Of Louisiana Monroe (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Louisiana Tech University tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in Louisiana. Based in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. Louisiana Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Louisiana Tech University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,261. The median student debt is $23,846.
Out of the 31 colleges in Louisiana in this year's ranking, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Orleans, LA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,368.
The strong outcomes at University Of Louisiana Monroe earned it the #3 place in Louisiana. Located in Monroe, LA, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,162. The median student debt is $22,465.
You'll be in good company at Our Lady Of The Lake College, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,959. Early-career graduates earn a median of $90,515. Typical student debt is $28,298.
The strong outcomes at Sowela Technical Community College earned it the #5 place in Louisiana. Based in Lake Charles, LA, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,305. Median early-career earnings reach $45,827. Graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans.
Nicholls State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Thibodaux, LA, Nicholls State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $43,888. Typical student debt is $24,513.
Mcneese State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Lake Charles, LA. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Mcneese State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,529. Mcneese State University students take on a median of $24,433 in debt.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #8 spot in Louisiana this year. Based in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public institution. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,684 early in their careers. The median student debt is $28,061.
River Parishes Community College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Gonzales, LA, River Parishes Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,079. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,694. The median student debt is $20,608.
Louisiana State University Eunice ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Eunice, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,802, compared with $10,166 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $16,239 in student loans.
L E Fletcher Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,219. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. L E Fletcher Technical Community College students take on a median of $5,396 in debt.
South Louisiana Community College placed #12 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Located in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,210. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,854. The median student debt is $12,435.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,098, while out-of-state students pay about $4,363. Central Louisiana Technical Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $18,707. Typical student debt is $8,625.
Baton Rouge Community College placed #14 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,321. Median early-career earnings reach $43,394. Baton Rouge Community College students take on a median of $17,624 in debt.
Louisiana State University Alexandria did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Alexandria, LA, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,656.
Delgado Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Delgado Community College is a public school based in New Orleans, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,279. Median early-career earnings reach $36,073. The median student debt is $25,283.
Nunez Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Chalmette, LA. Students from in state pay about $4,255 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,200. Nunez Community College students take on a median of $21,296 in debt.
Northshore Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Northshore Technical Community College is a public school based in Lacombe, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,299. Median early-career earnings reach $31,601. Graduates carry a median of $14,815 in student loans.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #19 spot in Louisiana this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a public school based in Bossier City, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,661. Graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans.
Herzing University Kenner came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Metairie, LA. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,807. Herzing University Kenner students take on a median of $34,673 in debt.
Louisiana Delta Community College placed #21 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Based in Monroe, LA, Louisiana Delta Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,159. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,839. The median student debt is $14,024.
Southern University At Shreveport placed #22 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Located in Shreveport, LA, Southern University At Shreveport is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,958 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,136. Graduates carry a median of $22,135 in student loans.
Iti Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Baton Rouge, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,711. Median early-career earnings reach $52,009. Typical student debt is $16,970.
Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Lafayette placed #24 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Located in Lafayette, LA, Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Lafayette is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,600 in tuition and fees.
Northwest Louisiana Technical College landed the #25 spot in Louisiana this year. Located in Minden, LA, Northwest Louisiana Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,109. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $31,448. The median student debt is $9,927.
These 6 colleges rank #26 through #31 of 31 in Louisiana. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.