New Orleans, Louisiana Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for New Orleans, Louisiana shows: median public in-state tuition $14,522 (+163.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $50,750 (-6.6% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,349 (+51.5% vs U.S.) 35,386 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 19 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 35,386 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $14,522 (+163.5% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $50,750 (-6.6% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.4% (+1.5 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $15,222 (+52.7% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $20,349 (+51.5% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 48.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 74.9%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in New Orleans, Louisiana—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Louisiana and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
New Orleans vs Louisiana & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, Louisiana | $14,522 | $15,222 | $20,349 | 48.5% | 35,386 |
| Louisiana (state median) | $6,004 | $11,456 | $13,271 | 45.1% | 186,739 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: New Orleans, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, Louisiana | $50,750 | 89.4% | 74.9% | 5.9% | — | 74.5% | 0.48 |
| Louisiana (state median) | $47,477 | 89.7% | 71.7% | 7.0% | — | 75.9% | 0.48 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Louisiana (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, Louisiana | $14,522 | $15,222 | $20,349 | 48.5% | 35,386 | $50,750 | 89.4% |
| Baton Rouge | $13,764 | $20,850 | $14,084 | 45.5% | 48,671 | $51,395 | 91.1% |
| Lafayette | $13,365 | $19,676 | $9,110 | 52.6% | 18,710 | $47,089 | 91.9% |
| Lafayette | $13,365 | $19,676 | $9,110 | 52.6% | 18,710 | $47,089 | 91.9% |
| Hammond | $8,373 | $12,882 | $15,015 | 45.4% | 9,739 | $46,482 | 90.9% |
| Monroe | $6,674 | $13,466 | $12,500 | 54.2% | 8,286 | $46,769 | 91.4% |
| Lake Charles | $6,397 | $12,204 | $9,833 | 47.0% | 8,115 | $46,453 | 88.6% |
| Alexandria | $5,574 | $11,659 | $9,110 | 34.2% | 7,141 | $42,205 | 89.5% |
| Shreveport | $11,882 | $18,708 | $13,271 | 37.5% | 5,710 | $48,904 | 88.2% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in New Orleans, Louisiana
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $52,184 | 89.7% | 79.1% | 4.6% | — | 76.4% |
| Public | 3 | $47,872 | 89.1% | 59.4% | 7.3% | — | 72.6% |
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 86.1%, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 73.9%, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 59.0%, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 48.5%, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 43.3%, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 38.0%, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 13.1%, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 93.0%, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 89.7%, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 87.3%, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 82.3%, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 77.9%, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
Top 10 most selective colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 14.0%, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 41.9%, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 69.0%, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 4, Admission Rate, 74.3%, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 5, Admission Rate, 78.9%, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 6, Admission Rate, 93.0%, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $90,828, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $86,585, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,215, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,998, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,806, University of Holy Cross
University of Holy Cross
-
Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $40,173, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $37,206, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $17,761, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $129,850, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $99,548, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $90,661, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $83,877, University of Holy Cross
University of Holy Cross
-
Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $81,519, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $69,590, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $63,204, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $49,709, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $74,290, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,220, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,643, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,410, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $34,092, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $29,148, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $28,507, Dillard University
Dillard University
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $75,116, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $56,725, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,490, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,225, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $43,309, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $34,724, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $33,646, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $78,495, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $63,268, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,927, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,184, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,872, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $39,196, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $34,042, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $160,306, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $154,514, University of Holy Cross
University of Holy Cross
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $144,796, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $105,168, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $85,777, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $78,238, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $63,987, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
Top 10 most affordable colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $10,829, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $12,384, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $14,810, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
-
Rank 4, Net Price, $15,635, University of Holy Cross
University of Holy Cross
-
Rank 5, Net Price, $17,127, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 6, Net Price, $22,094, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 7, Net Price, $23,696, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 8, Net Price, $39,949, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
Top 10 colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 92.5%, Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 92.0%, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 80.1%, Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 78.0%, Dillard University
Dillard University
-
Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 71.7%, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
-
Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 66.8%, University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
-
Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 52.0%, Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
In-state tuition: New Orleans, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Sticker price
New Orleans, Louisiana median in-state tuition is $14,522, +163.5% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: New Orleans, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in New Orleans, Louisiana is $20,349 (+51.5% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.
Median earnings (10 years out): New Orleans, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in New Orleans, Louisiana center around $50,750 (-6.6% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: New Orleans, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.4% at the median New Orleans, Louisiana campus (+1.5 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
New Orleans, Louisiana median public in-state tuition is $14,522, about +163.5% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +190.9%.
Median graduate debt is $20,349 (+51.5% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in New Orleans, Louisiana are $50,750, about -6.6% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 89.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+1.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 74.9% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 74.5% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans (93.0%), Xavier University of Louisiana (90.4%), Dillard University (89.7%), Southern University at New Orleans (89.1%), University of New Orleans (87.3%), Loyola University New Orleans (82.3%), Tulane University of Louisiana (77.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within New Orleans, Louisiana, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $52,184 (6 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $47,872 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in New Orleans, Louisiana is 48.5% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in New Orleans?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 19 campuses in New Orleans, Louisiana with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in New Orleans?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in New Orleans is $14,522 and median net price is $15,222. For Louisiana overall, medians are $6,004 and $11,456; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in New Orleans?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in New Orleans is $50,750 vs $47,477 for Louisiana and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for New Orleans colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in New Orleans is $20,349 vs $13,271 for Louisiana and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in New Orleans?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Tulane University of Louisiana (graduation) and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in New Orleans?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 19 campuses in New Orleans, Louisiana, 3 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana; 7 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (3), United Methodist (1), Southern Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- Louisiana college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON