Best colleges in Louisiana

Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.

Best colleges in Louisiana24 schools

24 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.

How this list is made

Schools in Louisiana.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
#1 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 86% graduate
2
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA · Public
#2 in Louisiana
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 69% graduate
3
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA · Public
#3 in Louisiana
- Value grade B+ · Top 22%
- 64% graduate
4
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport, LA · Private nonprofit
#4 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 56% graduate
5
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA · Public
#5 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 39%
- 53% graduate
6
Remington College-Shreveport Campus
Shreveport, LA · Private nonprofit
Top 15% for low debt
- Value grade C+
- 33% graduate
7
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
#7 in Louisiana
- Value grade B-
- 59% graduate
8
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA · Public
#8 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 36%
- 54% graduate
9
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Shreveport, LA · Public
Top 8% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 25%
- 38% graduate
9
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA · Public
Top 25% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 40%
- 54% graduate
11
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
#11 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 44%
- 49% graduate
12
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
#12 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 43% graduate
13
University of Holy Cross
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
#13 in Louisiana
- Value grade B
- 49% graduate
14
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA · Public
#14 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 37%
- 45% graduate
15
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA · Public
Top 23% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 37%
- 47% graduate
16
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA · Public
#16 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 43% graduate
17
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA · Public
Top 23% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 23%
- 38% graduate
18
Louisiana Christian University
Pineville, LA · Private nonprofit
#18 in Louisiana
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 44% graduate
19
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA · Public
#19 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 27% graduate
20
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Baton Rouge, LA · Private nonprofit
#20 in Louisiana
- Value grade B · Top 46%
- 45% graduate
21
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Alexandria, LA · Public
Top 8% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 28%
- 34% graduate
22
Grambling State University
Grambling, LA · Public
#22 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 36% graduate
23
Herzing University-New Orleans
Metairie, LA · Private nonprofit
#23 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 15% graduate
24
Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, LA · Public
#24 in Louisiana
- Value grade C+
- 13% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Tulane University of Louisiana	$39,949	$20,500	$63,268	86%
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College	$19,151	$20,500	$61,251	69%
Louisiana Tech University	$11,864	$22,135	$52,279	64%
Centenary College of Louisiana	$23,624	$27,000	$50,330	56%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	$13,530	$22,902	$47,089	53%
Remington College-Shreveport Campus	$30,758	$13,271	$31,349	33%
Loyola University New Orleans	$23,696	$26,000	$52,927	59%
University of Louisiana at Monroe	$13,466	$21,500	$46,769	54%
Louisiana State University-Shreveport	$7,022	$22,500	$47,477	38%
Nicholls State University	$12,947	$22,675	$45,454	54%
Xavier University of Louisiana	$17,127	$24,053	$52,184	49%
Dillard University	$22,094	$31,000	$39,196	43%
University of Holy Cross	$15,635	$26,995	$49,316	49%
Southeastern Louisiana University	$13,154	$22,113	$46,482	45%
McNeese State University	$12,493	$23,000	$46,453	47%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana	$13,606	$25,000	$47,021	43%
University of New Orleans	$12,384	$18,750	$47,872	38%
Louisiana Christian University	$13,113	$21,875	$51,700	44%
Southern University and A & M College	$20,077	$29,251	$43,371	27%
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University	$18,552	$27,672	$59,419	45%
Louisiana State University-Alexandria	$7,065	$19,000	$42,205	34%
Grambling State University	$19,809	$36,500	$41,109	36%
Herzing University-New Orleans	$21,269	$21,500	$36,909	15%
Southern University at New Orleans	$14,810	$31,000	$34,042	13%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

Best colleges in Louisiana

How this list is made

Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana Tech University

Centenary College of Louisiana

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Remington College-Shreveport Campus

Loyola University New Orleans

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Nicholls State University

Xavier University of Louisiana

Dillard University

University of Holy Cross

Southeastern Louisiana University

McNeese State University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

University of New Orleans

Louisiana Christian University

Southern University and A & M College

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Grambling State University

Herzing University-New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans

Compare cost and outcomes

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