Best Grad Schools in Louisiana 2024

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.

Best Grad Schools in Louisiana 2024

1. #1

   Tulane University

   New Orleans , LA

   #1 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $63K

   Acceptance

   11%

   Graduation

   87%

   Student body

   15K

   Median SAT/ACT

   1440/32

   Career Outlook for degree at Tulane University

   Cost of Degree: $65,538

   Expenses: $21,908

   Starting Salary: $86,300

   Cost Recoup Time: 16 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   Tulane University is a private research university founded in 1834, initially as The Medical College of Louisiana during New Orleans’ battle against cholera and yellow fever. With that being said, the institution has a long history of being at the forefront of pioneering research.

   What we love about Tulane University:

   The school offers more than 200 graduate degree programs across its nine schools with the flexibility to fit the students’ schedules.

   Tulane University is ideal for students who:

   Want to have plenty of prestigious research opportunities, considering that the school is part of an elite group of top-ranked research institutions in the country, i.e., the Association of American Universities.

   Tulane University might not be the best fit for students who:

   Are looking for a less rigorous course of study.

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2. #2

   Louisiana State University

   Baton Rouge , LA

   #14 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024

   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: $23,264

   Starting Salary: $60,100

   Cost Recoup Time: 11 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   Louisiana State University is a public four-year, land-grant research institution of higher education in Baton Rouge that offers more than 70 master’s and 50 doctoral degree programs, as well as graduate minors and certificates.

   What we love about LSU:

   It offers students a diverse environment and a supportive academic community.

   LSU is ideal for students who:

   Want to have the opportunity of being a part of the flagship university of Louisiana.

   LSU might not be the best fit for students who:

   Prefer studying in a graduate school located in a rural area or close to nature.

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3. #3

   University of New Orleans

   New Orleans , LA

   #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025

   Tuition + fees

   $9K

   Acceptance

   70%

   Graduation

   38%

   Student body

   9K

   Median SAT/ACT

   1060/20

   Career Outlook for degree at University of New Orleans

   Cost of Degree: $9,172

   Expenses: $19,398

   Starting Salary: $43,500

   Cost Recoup Time: 12 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   The University of New Orleans is a public four-year university with excellent research activities and a wide range of master’s and doctoral degrees in various fields of study.

   What we love about UNO:

   It offers Accelerated Master’s Degree options for around 30 approved programs, where undergraduate students can earn as many as 12 semester hours of graduate credit that count towards both baccalaureate and post- baccalaureate degrees.

   UNO is ideal for students who:

   Are looking for graduate schools that clearly assist students who need help in finding graduate-level scholarships and financial aid options.

   UNO might not be the best fit for students who:

   Prefer a smaller class size or a lower student-faculty ratio for graduate programs in order to benefit from more individualized attention from professors.

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4. #4

   Southern University

   Baton Rouge , LA

   #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024

   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

   Southern University and A&M College is a Baton Rouge-based four-year public university and is considered Louisiana’s largest historically black college or university (HBCU).

   What we love about Southern University:

   The school’s dedicated professors who teach the courses for the graduate and professional studies programs include distinguished researchers and Fulbright scholars.

   Southern University is ideal for students who:

   Want to pursue careers in Nursing, Allied Health, and Science and Engineering, which are some of the university’s top programs.

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

   Have an undergraduate GPA lower than 2.7 or a graduate GPA lower than 3.0.

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5. #5

   University of Louisiana at Lafayette

   Lafayette , LA

   #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $10K

   Acceptance

   75%

   Graduation

   51%

   Student body

   18K

   Career Outlook for degree at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

   Cost of Degree: $10,418

   Expenses: $18,758

   Starting Salary: $46,400

   Cost Recoup Time: 12 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a four-year public Carnegie R1 research university offering a variety of graduate degree programs at non-degree, certificate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

   What we love about UL Lafayette:

   It provides graduate students with the opportunities to fund their programs through teacher tuition incentive awards, assistantships, fellowships, and many other avenues.

   UL Lafayette is ideal for students who:

   Are seeking a research university with an inclusive environment that fosters scientific exploration and passion for solving real-world problems.

   UL Lafayette might not be the best fit for students who:

   Are outdoor enthusiasts looking for graduate programs in wildlife management, forestry, and other relevant fields, which may not be UL’s strong suit.

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7. #6

   Louisiana Tech University

   Ruston , LA

   #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $10K

   Acceptance

   62%

   Graduation

   60%

   Student body

   12K

   Median SAT/ACT

   1184/24

   Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana Tech University

   Cost of Degree: $10,125

   Expenses: $14,640

   Starting Salary: $49,200

   Cost Recoup Time: 10 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   Louisiana Tech University is a public four-year university in Ruston with a Carnegie Classification of “R2: Doctoral Universities - High Research Activity.”

   What we love about Louisiana Tech:

   It offers almost 100 graduate programs at certificate, master’s, and doctorate- degree levels. The school also provides a large number of concentrations to choose from in their degrees.

   Louisiana Tech is ideal for students who:

   Are looking for challenging and rigorous graduate-level degree programs that provide a superior educational and research environment.

   Louisiana Tech might not be the best fit for students who:

   Are more comfortable in a homogeneous academic community where students have similar cultural backgrounds, considering that diversity is one of the university’s sources of strength.

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8. #7

   Southeastern Louisiana University

   Hammond , LA

   #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025

   Tuition + fees

   $8K

   Acceptance

   99%

   Graduation

   44%

   Student body

   16K

   Career Outlook for degree at Southeastern Louisiana University

   Cost of Degree: $8,373

   Expenses: $17,464

   Starting Salary: $42,800

   Cost Recoup Time: 12 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   Southeastern Louisiana University is a four-year institution of higher education and is recognized as the third-largest public university in the state.

   What we love about Southeastern:

   The university aims to further the cultural, educational, and economic development of Southeast Louisiana.

   Southeastern is ideal for students who:

   Aspire to become student-athletes, considering that the University supports 16 NCAA Division I athletic programs that all compete in the Southland Conference.

   Southeastern might not be the best fit for students who:

   Are not comfortable being in a close-knit campus community in a small-town location.

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9. #8

   Xavier University of Louisiana

   New Orleans , LA

   #11 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025

   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: $27,868

   Expenses: $13,886

   Starting Salary: $64,500

   Cost Recoup Time: 12 years

   Paid back at 15% of annual salary

   Xavier University of Louisiana is a non-profit, arts-based educational institution in New Orleans and is recognized as the country’s only historically Black (HBUC) Catholic university.

   What we love about XULA:

   The University provides students with a diverse teaching and learning environment to equip them with the skills needed to assume leadership and service roles in a global society.

   XULA is ideal for students who:

   Are seeking historically Black graduate schools that provide research opportunities in the field of Health and Human Services (HHS), an area in which the University ranks 6th in terms of national funding.

   XULA might not be the best fit for students who:

   Prefer choosing from a wide range of graduate program options, considering that the university offers less than 10 master’s and doctorate programs.

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10. #9

    Grambling State University

    Grambling , LA

    #4 Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024

    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

    Grambling State University is a public four-year, historically Black institution of higher education offering around 15 graduate-level academic programs at master’s, post-master’s, and doctorate-degree levels.

    What we love about GSU:

    It blends the academic strengths of a major university with the perks of a small college to create a campus environment that trains students to become innovators and thought leaders.

    GSU is ideal for students who:

    Uphold the value of academic freedom, which is the guiding principle for the university’s service, teaching, and research activities.

    GSU might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer studying in a university or close to a bustling city.

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11. #10

    Northwestern State University

    Natchitoches , LA

    #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Louisiana 2025 #9 Best Online Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Louisiana 2024

    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: $8,864

    Expenses: $17,841

    Starting Salary: $39,600

    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years

    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, four-year institution of higher education mainly based in Natchitoches, with a few off-campus instruction sites and NSU partnering sites across the state.

    What we love about NSU:

    It is consistent in equipping students with the capabilities and knowledge to contribute to an inclusive global community. The institution also has a passion for the betterment of local communities and the nation.

    NSU is ideal for students who:

    Intend to pursue a career in the field of education because the university has around 140 years of experience as a training institution for teachers.

    NSU might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer studying at a university located in a suburb or urban area.

    Compare school
13. #11

    University of Louisiana at Monroe

    Monroe , LA

    #7 Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024 #8 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1202/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Louisiana at Monroe

    Cost of Degree: $9,190

    Expenses: $17,458

    Starting Salary: $46,300

    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years

    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public four-year institution of higher education that offers around 30 graduate and professional programs at certificate, master’s, and doctorate-degree levels through its four colleges.

    What we love about ULM:

    It provides virtual tours to give prospective students information about the university and a feel of what it’s like being on the campus without having to be there physically.

    ULM is ideal for students who:

    Are looking for a small, city-based university with campus housing options.

    ULM might not be the best fit for students who:

    Have a grade point average of less than 2.75 earned from their baccalaureate degree or on their last 60 hours of attempted coursework.

    Compare school
14. #12

    University of Holy Cross

    New Orleans , LA

    #6 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #7 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Holy Cross

    Cost of Degree: $16,160

    Expenses: $17,390

    Starting Salary: $40,700

    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years

    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Holy Cross is a New Orleans- based private, non-profit Roman Catholic institution of higher education affiliated with the Marianites of Holy Cross.

    What we love about UHC:

    The university offers one of Louisiana’s most unique educational experiences as the institution was founded on the faith and dedication of the Marianite Sisters in equipping future educators who inspire others.

    UHC is ideal for students who:

    Want an academic environment that constantly pushes them to achieve their academic and professional goals.

    UHC might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer a university with a more secular academic structure.

    Compare school
15. #13

    Louisiana State University Shreveport

    Shreveport , LA

    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: $17,228

    Starting Salary: $41,000

    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years

    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Louisiana State University Shreveport is a public four-year educational institution offering a wide range of fully online professional degrees.

    What we love about LSU Shreveport:

    At least 88% of the faculty members at the university possess a terminal degree in their field of study, an indicator of the high quality of education offered at the institution.

    LSU Shreveport is ideal for students who:

    Seek high-quality education at affordable tuition, considering that the university provides 94% of first-time students with financial aid.

    LSU Shreveport might not be the best fit for students who:

    Cannot manage both their studies and extracurricular activities, considering that the university has more than 50 organizations and clubs complemented by a close-knit campus community.

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