Baton Rouge, Louisiana Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: median public in-state tuition $13,764 (+149.7% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $51,395 (-5.5% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 91.1% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $14,084 (+6.1% 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 (-5.5% 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 (+6.1% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 45.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 62.2%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Baton Rouge serve students across Louisiana with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 19 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 48,671 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $13,764. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Baton Rouge, 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 | $13,136 | 45.0% | 186,008 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
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 | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 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 | $15,635 | $20,349 | 48.5% | 34,679 | $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% |
| Hammond | $8,373 | $12,882 | $15,015 | 45.4% | 9,739 | $46,482 | 90.9% |
| Monroe | $6,674 | $10,584 | $11,000 | 54.2% | 8,278 | $46,769 | 91.4% |
| Monroe | $6,674 | $10,584 | $11,000 | 54.2% | 8,278 | $46,769 | 91.4% |
| Monroe | $6,674 | $10,584 | $11,000 | 54.2% | 8,278 | $46,769 | 91.4% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
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 3 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.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 68.8%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 45.5%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 27.1%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.5%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.9%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 3 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.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 35.1%, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 73.3%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 98.7%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,871, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,871, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,915, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,607, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $114,226, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $92,969, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $92,969, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $88,618, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,851, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,218, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,033, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,033, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,016, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $54,621, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,628, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,628, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $61,251, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,419, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,371, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,371, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
Top 3 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $194,177, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $179,190, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $91,477, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 3 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.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $18,552, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $19,151, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 3, Net Price, $20,077, Southern University and A & M College
Southern University and A & M College
Top 4 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.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 84.7%, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 63.9%, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 60.5%, Southern University Law Center
Southern University Law Center
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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 (+6.1% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.
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 (-5.5% 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 (+6.1% above the U.S. median of $13,271). 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 -5.5% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
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 88.0% (+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 76.4%—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%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Baton Rouge?
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?
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 $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Baton Rouge?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Baton Rouge is $51,395 vs $47,477 for Louisiana and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Baton Rouge colleges?
Median completer debt in Baton Rouge is $14,084 vs $13,136 for Louisiana and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Baton Rouge?
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?
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