Baton Rouge, Louisiana Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Baton Rouge, Louisiana shows: median public in-state tuition $13,764 (+149.7% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $51,395 (-5.4% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 91.1% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $14,084 (+4.8% vs U.S.) 48,671 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 19 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 48,671 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $13,764 (+149.7% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $51,395 (-5.4% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 91.1% (+3.2 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $20,850 (+109.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $14,084 (+4.9% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 45.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 62.2%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Louisiana and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Baton Rouge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $13,764 | $20,850 | $14,084 | 45.5% | 48,671 |
| 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: Baton Rouge, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $51,395 | 91.1% | 62.2% | 6.0% | — | 73.1% | 0.57 |
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $13,764 | $20,850 | $14,084 | 45.5% | 48,671 | $51,395 | 91.1% |
| New Orleans | $14,522 | $15,222 | $20,349 | 48.5% | 35,386 | $50,750 | 89.4% |
| 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 Baton Rouge, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | 3 | $43,371 | 90.4% | 60.5% | 7.0% | — | 65.2% |
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, 68.8%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 45.5%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 27.1%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, 92.5%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.9%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 10 most selective colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, 35.1%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 73.3%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 98.7%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $79,871, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,871, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,915, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,607, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $114,226, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $92,969, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $92,969, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $88,618, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $55,851, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,218, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,033, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,033, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $57,016, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $54,621, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,628, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,628, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $61,251, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,419, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,371, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,371, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $197,952, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $174,870, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $93,162, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, $18,552, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $19,151, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $20,077, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 10 colleges in Baton Rouge, 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, 84.7%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 63.9%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 60.5%, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 60.3%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
In-state tuition: Baton Rouge, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Baton Rouge, Louisiana median in-state tuition is $13,764, +149.7% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Baton Rouge, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is $14,084 (+4.8% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.
Median earnings (10 years out): Baton Rouge, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana center around $51,395 (-5.4% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Baton Rouge, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 91.1% at the median Baton Rouge, Louisiana campus (+3.2 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
Baton Rouge, Louisiana median public in-state tuition is $13,764, about +149.7% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +175.7%.
Median graduate debt is $14,084 (+4.8% 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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana are $51,395, about -5.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 91.1% 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% (+3.2 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 62.2% 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 6.0% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 73.1% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (92.5%), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (91.9%), Southern University and A & M College (90.4%), Southern University Law Center (90.4%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sector medians diverge: Public median 10-yr earnings $43,371 (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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana is 45.5% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Baton Rouge?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 19 campuses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Baton Rouge?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Baton Rouge is $13,764 and median net price is $20,850. For Louisiana overall, medians are $6,004 and $11,456; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Baton Rouge?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Baton Rouge is $51,395 vs $47,477 for Louisiana and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Baton Rouge colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Baton Rouge is $14,084 vs $13,271 for Louisiana and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Baton Rouge?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (graduation) and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Baton Rouge?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 19 campuses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 2 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Southern University and A & M College and Southern University Law Center; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (1).
Sources & related
- Louisiana college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON