Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025

Badge for BEST IN LOUISIANA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Updated: Nov 1, 2024

Here are the best colleges and universities in Louisiana. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Key Takeaways

Louisiana’s top colleges offer unique programs in music, arts, and cultural studies, deeply rooted in the state’s rich heritage, including jazz, Creole, and Cajun cultures, giving students a unique environment for creative expression.
With proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and extensive wetlands, Louisiana’s top colleges emphasize research and academic programs in environmental sciences, marine biology, and ecology, appealing to students interested in hands-on learning related to diverse ecosystems.
Known for their welcoming atmospheres, Louisiana’s top colleges foster inclusive and active campus life, with student-led events, diverse cultural clubs, and supportive networks, making them attractive to students seeking a close-knit and dynamic college experience.

Table of Contents

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best colleges in Louisiana saw a fair amount of movement. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette gained the most ranking positions as the university is undergoing extensive improvements, with approximately $600 million allocated to various projects funded by state and private sources. A key initiative is the $65 million renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, which is set for completion by August 2025, enhancing the experience for students and fans alike. Additionally, a new Engineering Center of Excellence, part of a $55 million project, will provide a collaborative, student-centered space, with concurrent renovations to Madison Hall.

Plans are also underway for a new sciences classroom building and renovations to Montgomery and Billeaud halls, supporting STEM students with modernized facilities. At the New Iberia Research Center, upgrades to achieve Level 3 biosafety status will expand research capabilities, while a new laboratory school in the University Research Park, under the College of Education & Human Development, will offer cutting-edge learning experiences. These developments reflect UL Lafayette’s commitment to advancing its infrastructure, fostering academic excellence, and supporting economic growth in the region.

We’ve identified 21 colleges and universities in Louisiana that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Louisiana below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Louisiana.

Best Colleges in Louisiana

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Student Submitted Questions on the Best Colleges in Louisiana

Sydney asks, “What efforts are being made to promote diversity and inclusion on campuses across Louisiana?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: The University of Louisiana System have a UL System Diversity and Inclusion Task Force which helps recruit and retain underrepresented groups. Most colleges in Louisiana also have offices of diversity and inclusion designed to provide diversity training for students and staff as well as deliver aid to students who need it. Many colleges also have student support services and various student advocacy groups on campus.

Cameron asks, “How do colleges in Louisiana ensure that distance learning programs maintain the same level of quality and engagement as on-campus offerings?”

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: All of the colleges in our ranking are regionally accredited, meaning that their online programs will have to adhere to the same standards as their in-person programs. Online programs also use advanced learning management systems to help students easily navigate their coursework and assignments, helping provide quality education to students. Additionally, in recent years many professors have been better trained and equipped to teach in online learning spaces.

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Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025

Key Takeaways

10 Best Colleges in Louisiana in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Best Colleges in Louisiana

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for degree at Tulane University

What We Love About Tulane University

Tulane University is ideal for students who:

Tulane University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University

What We Love About Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University is ideal for students who:

Louisiana State University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at University of New Orleans

What We Love About the University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans is ideal for students who:

The University of New Orleans might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Loyola University New Orleans

What We Love About Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans is ideal for students who:

Loyola University New Orleans might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Southern University

What We Love About Southern University

Southern University is ideal for students who:

Southern University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

What We Love About the University of Louisiana Lafayette

The University of Louisiana Lafayette is ideal for students who:

University of Louisiana Lafayette might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana Tech University

What We Love About Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University is ideal for students who:

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Career Outlook for degree at Dillard University

What We Love About Dillard University

Dillard University is ideal for students who:

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Career Outlook for degree at Southeastern Louisiana University

What We Love About Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University is ideal for students who:

Southeastern Louisiana University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Xavier University of Louisiana

What We Love About Xavier University of Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana is ideal for students who:

Xavier University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Grambling State University

What We Love About Grambling State University

Grambling State University is ideal for students who:

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Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern State University

What We Love About Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University is good for students who:

Northwestern State University might not be the best option for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at McNeese State University

What We Love About McNeese State University

McNeese State University is ideal for students who:

McNeese State University might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at University of Louisiana at Monroe

What We Love About the University of Louisiana Monroe

The University of Louisiana Monroe is good for students who:

The University of Louisiana Monroe might not be the best fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Centenary College of Louisiana

What We Love About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College of Louisiana is good for students who:

Centenary College of Louisiana might not be the best fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Nicholls State University

What We Love About Nicholls State University

Nicholls State University is ideal for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Southern University at New Orleans

What We Love About Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans is good for students who:

Southern University at New Orleans might not be the best fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University Shreveport

What We Love About Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University Shreveport is good for students who:

Louisiana State University Shreveport might not be a good fit for students who:

Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University of Alexandria

What We Love About LSU Alexandria

Louisiana State University is good for students who: