Best Grad Schools in Louisiana 2024

Badge for BEST IN LOUISIANA GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Louisiana offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Louisiana

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  1. Tulane University
  2. Louisiana State University
  3. University of New Orleans
  4. Louisiana Tech University
  5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  6. Southern University
  7. Xavier University of Louisiana
  8. Southeastern Louisiana University
  9. Grambling State University
  10. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  1. Tulane University
  2. Louisiana State University
  3. University of New Orleans
  4. Southern University
  5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  6. Louisiana Tech University
  7. Southeastern Louisiana University
  8. Xavier University of Louisiana
  9. Grambling State University
  10. Northwestern State University
  1. Southeastern Louisiana University 99%
  2. Northwestern State University 98%
  3. Xavier University of Louisiana 95%
  4. Louisiana State University Shreveport 89%
  5. University of Holy Cross 87%
  6. Louisiana State University 76%
  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 75%
  8. University of Louisiana at Monroe 70%
  9. University of New Orleans 70%
  10. Louisiana Tech University 62%
  1. Grambling State University 25 to 1
  2. Louisiana State University Shreveport 24 to 1
  3. Louisiana Tech University 23 to 1
  4. Louisiana State University 22 to 1
  5. Southeastern Louisiana University 18 to 1
  6. Southern University 18 to 1
  7. University of New Orleans 18 to 1
  8. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18 to 1
  9. Northwestern State University 17 to 1
  10. University of Louisiana at Monroe 17 to 1
  1. Tulane University $62,844
  2. Xavier University of Louisiana $26,863
  3. University of Holy Cross $15,960
  4. Louisiana State University $8,038
  5. Louisiana Tech University $6,401
  6. University of New Orleans $6,090
  7. University of Louisiana at Monroe $5,788
  8. Southeastern Louisiana University $5,777
  9. Louisiana State University Shreveport $5,656
  10. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,407
  1. Tulane University $61,066
  2. Xavier University of Louisiana $14,899
  3. University of Holy Cross $13,230
  4. Louisiana State University $9,132
  5. Southeastern Louisiana University $6,684
  6. University of Louisiana at Monroe $6,490
  7. Louisiana State University Shreveport $6,196
  8. University of New Orleans $6,090
  9. Northwestern State University $5,738
  10. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,511
  1. University of Holy Cross
  2. Louisiana State University Shreveport
  3. Northwestern State University
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  5. Grambling State University
  6. Southeastern Louisiana University
  7. Xavier University of Louisiana
  8. Southern University
  9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  10. Louisiana Tech University
  1. University of Holy Cross
  2. Louisiana State University Shreveport
  3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  4. Northwestern State University
  5. Grambling State University
  6. Xavier University of Louisiana
  7. Southeastern Louisiana University
  8. Louisiana Tech University
  9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  10. Southern University
  1. Tulane University 11%
  2. Grambling State University 42%
  3. Southern University 54%
  4. Louisiana Tech University 62%
  5. University of New Orleans 70%
  6. University of Louisiana at Monroe 70%
  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 75%
  8. Louisiana State University 76%
  9. University of Holy Cross 87%
  10. Louisiana State University Shreveport 89%
  1. Tulane University 8 to 1
  2. University of Holy Cross 10 to 1
  3. Xavier University of Louisiana 13 to 1
  4. Northwestern State University 17 to 1
  5. University of Louisiana at Monroe 17 to 1
  6. Southeastern Louisiana University 18 to 1
  7. Southern University 18 to 1
  8. University of New Orleans 18 to 1
  9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18 to 1
  10. Louisiana State University 22 to 1
  1. Southern University $4,973
  2. Grambling State University $5,140
  3. Northwestern State University $5,180
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,407
  5. Louisiana State University Shreveport $5,656
  6. Southeastern Louisiana University $5,777
  7. University of Louisiana at Monroe $5,788
  8. University of New Orleans $6,090
  9. Louisiana Tech University $6,401
  10. Louisiana State University $8,038
  1. Grambling State University $5,110
  2. Southern University $5,336
  3. Louisiana Tech University $5,416
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,511
  5. Northwestern State University $5,738
  6. University of New Orleans $6,090
  7. Louisiana State University Shreveport $6,196
  8. University of Louisiana at Monroe $6,490
  9. Southeastern Louisiana University $6,684
  10. Louisiana State University $9,132

Colleges and Universities in Louisiana

With a wide range of brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Louisiana, students can choose from numerous excellent and highly respected undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of the top Louisiana schools are noted for their affordability as well.

This is because Louisiana offers low residents low in state tuition rates for access to its 26 public colleges. If your school search includes public colleges in Louisiana, you’ll have a number of great options. The cost to attend a public college in Louisiana typically ranges from $5,000 to $12,000.

Out of state students will typically pay more. However, Louisiana residents who attend public online schools will be eligible for the instate tuition discount.

With just shy of 27,000 students, the Louisiana State University system is the largest public school system in the state. With an annual tuition rate of $12,000, LSU provides a full spectrum of both traditional and online degree programs in areas like engineering, education, theater, and landscape architecture.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Other reputable public schools in Louisiana include the University of Louisiana, Northwestern State University, and Southern University and A&M College. Southern University is a highly regarded historically black land-grant university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Students attending public universities in Louisiana can earn both on-campus and online degrees in popular subjects like business management, health services administration, health sciences, and criminal justice.

Louisiana is also noted for an extensive technical college system, where students can pursue a wide range of on-campus and online degree programs. Likewise, the average tuition for a year at one of Louisiana’s seven community colleges is $4,000.

For students looking to merge their faith with their education, Louisiana is also home to eight religious institutions, including Catholic, Methodist, and Baptist schools. Prospective students can also attend one of 10 private colleges, including Tulane University and Louisiana Culinary Institute.

Tulane University’s tuition rate is $55,000. Based in the culturally rich city of New Orleans, Tulane is best known for its medical and law schools. Attorneys in Louisiana who have debt from law school may be eligible to receive $5,000 annually through the Loan Repayment Assistance-based financial aid program from the Bar Foundation.

Jazz, beignets, and Mardi Gras - the culture, food, and music of Louisiana make it an irresistible place to indulge. This L-shaped state is nicknamed The Pelican State, but the American alligator is also known to roam its lands. Wildlife aside, Louisiana is home to 36 higher education institutions that award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through an array of traditional and online schools.

Louisiana offers a variety of higher education experiences, serving a full range of budgetary needs and career goals. Find out more about earning your degree from one of Louisiana’s colleges or universities.


What are Louisiana’s Colleges & Universities?

Louisiana’s Best Overall


Louisiana's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 13 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Louisiana. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Louisiana is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Louisiana 2023

  1. #2

    Louisiana State University

    Baton Rouge , LA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,954
    Expenses: $22,924
    Starting Salary: $60,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #6

    Southern University

    Baton Rouge , LA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    910/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $9,842
    Expenses: $16,136
    Starting Salary: $39,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Xavier University of Louisiana

    Cost of Degree: $26,863
    Expenses: $14,008
    Starting Salary: $64,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    42%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    915/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Grambling State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,683
    Expenses: $17,980
    Starting Salary: $32,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #11

    Northwestern State University

    Natchitoches , LA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,672
    Expenses: $17,039
    Starting Salary: $39,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University Shreveport

    Cost of Degree: $7,327
    Expenses: $16,047
    Starting Salary: $41,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Louisiana State University Shreveport known for?

    Louisiana State University Shreveport’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  7. #13

    University of Holy Cross

    New Orleans , LA

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Holy Cross

    Cost of Degree: $15,960
    Expenses: $16,936
    Starting Salary: $40,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Holy Cross known for?

    University of Holy Cross’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Louisiana’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. Tulane University
  2. Louisiana State University
  3. Louisiana Tech University
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  5. Xavier University of Louisiana
  6. University of Louisiana at Monroe
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