by our College Data Analytics TeamTulane University Of Louisiana ranks #1 of 95 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Louisiana ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 53% six-year graduation rate and $66,523 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, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **95** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 95 colleges across over 20 objective factors 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.
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Tulane University Of Louisiana leads the 95 ranked colleges in Louisiana, followed by Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (#2) and Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Louisiana. Based in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Tulane University Of Louisiana posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Median early-career earnings reach $53,507. Tulane University Of Louisiana students take on a median of $22,077 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans earned it the #2 place in Louisiana. Based in New Orleans, LA, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,356, with out-of-state students paying around $18,851. Early-career graduates earn a median of $93,560. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans students take on a median of $31,146 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned it the #3 place in Louisiana. This public school is set in Baton Rouge, LA. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $21,348.
A rank of #4 makes Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport one of the top colleges in Louisiana. Set in Shreveport, LA, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,474, compared with $21,345 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,528 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $40,400 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #5 makes Louisiana Tech University one of the top colleges in Louisiana. Set in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Louisiana Tech University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,261. Graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #6 spot in Louisiana this year. Based in Lafayette, LA, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $42,873. The median student debt is $24,373.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot in Louisiana this year. Located in New Orleans, LA, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
Loyola University New Orleans did well this year, earning the #8 position. Loyola University New Orleans is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Loyola University New Orleans graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,040. Graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans.
Chamberlain University Louisiana placed #9 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Set in Jefferson, LA, Chamberlain University Louisiana is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,680 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $83,188. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Monroe, LA, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. University Of Louisiana Monroe graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,162. The median student debt is $22,465.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #11 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Set in Shreveport, LA, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a public institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Median early-career earnings reach $45,300. Louisiana State University Shreveport students take on a median of $28,907 in debt.
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Lake Charles, LA, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,305. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,827. The median student debt is $7,391.
River Parishes Community College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Gonzales, LA, River Parishes Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,079. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,694 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,608 to complete a degree here.
Xavier University Of Louisiana placed #14 among the best colleges in Louisiana. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $28,979. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,854. Students borrow a median of $26,777 to complete a degree here.
Our Lady Of The Lake College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $90,515. The median student debt is $28,298.
Mcneese State University landed the #16 spot in Louisiana this year. This public school is set in Lake Charles, LA. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Mcneese State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,529. The median student debt is $24,433.
Nicholls State University landed the #17 spot in Louisiana this year. Based in Thibodaux, LA, Nicholls State University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,888. Nicholls State University students take on a median of $24,513 in debt.
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Hammond, LA, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,682. Typical student debt is $24,323.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #19 spot in Louisiana this year. Located in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,684. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana students take on a median of $28,061 in debt.
South Louisiana Community College landed the #20 spot in Louisiana this year. Located in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,210. South Louisiana Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $38,854. Students borrow a median of $12,435 to complete a degree here.
Louisiana College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit school based in Pineville, LA. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $20,266. Louisiana College graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,294. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete a degree here.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Alexandria, LA, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,098, while out-of-state students pay about $4,363. Median early-career earnings reach $18,707. Typical student debt is $8,625.
Saint Joseph Seminary College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in St. Benedict, LA, Saint Joseph Seminary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,750.
University Of New Orleans landed the #24 spot in Louisiana this year. University Of New Orleans is a public school based in New Orleans, LA. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. University Of New Orleans graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,720. Graduates carry a median of $23,048 in student loans.
Louisiana State University Eunice did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Eunice, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,802, compared with $10,166 for out-of-state students. Louisiana State University Eunice graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,300. Graduates carry a median of $16,239 in student loans.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 95 in Louisiana. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
