Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2023

Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Louisiana provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

10 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana

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  1. Louisiana State University
    2. 59%
  2. University of New Orleans
    3. 40%
  3. Southern University
    4. 39%
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    5. 39%
  5. Louisiana Tech University
    6. 38%
  6. Southeastern Louisiana University
    7. 34%
  7. Grambling State University
    8. 31%
  8. Northwestern State University
    9. 28%
  9. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    10. 27%
  10. McNeese State University
    11. 27%
  1. Southeastern Louisiana University
    2. 99%
  2. Nicholls State University
    3. 97%
  3. Northwestern State University
    4. 96%
  4. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    5. 91%
  5. University of New Orleans
    6. 81%
  6. Southern University at New Orleans
    7. 79%
  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    8. 78%
  8. Grambling State University
    9. 72%
  9. Louisiana State University
    10. 71%
  10. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    11. 70%
  1. Grambling State University
    2. 30 to 1
  2. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    3. 28 to 1
  3. Louisiana Tech University
    4. 23 to 1
  4. Louisiana State University
    5. 22 to 1
  5. Southern University
    6. 22 to 1
  6. McNeese State University
    7. 21 to 1
  7. Southeastern Louisiana University
    8. 20 to 1
  8. University of New Orleans
    9. 20 to 1
  9. Northwestern State University
    10. 19 to 1
  10. Nicholls State University
    11. 19 to 1
  1. Louisiana State University
    2. $8,038
  2. Louisiana Tech University
    3. $6,401
  3. University of New Orleans
    4. $6,090
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    5. $5,788
  5. Southeastern Louisiana University
    6. $5,777
  6. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    7. $5,656
  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    8. $5,407
  8. Northwestern State University
    9. $5,180
  9. McNeese State University
    10. $5,147
  10. Grambling State University
    11. $5,140
  1. Louisiana State University
    2. $9,132
  2. Southeastern Louisiana University
    3. $6,684
  3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    4. $6,490
  4. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    5. $6,196
  5. University of New Orleans
    6. $6,090
  6. Southern University at New Orleans
    7. $6,024
  7. Northwestern State University
    8. $5,738
  8. McNeese State University
    9. $5,703
  9. Nicholls State University
    10. $5,686
  10. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    11. $5,511
  1. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    2. 18%
  2. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
    3. 18%
  3. Southern University at New Orleans
    4. 24%
  4. Nicholls State University
    5. 25%
  5. McNeese State University
    6. 27%
  6. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    7. 27%
  7. Northwestern State University
    8. 28%
  8. Grambling State University
    9. 31%
  9. Southeastern Louisiana University
    10. 34%
  10. Louisiana Tech University
    11. 38%
  1. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
    2. 58%
  2. Southern University
    3. 59%
  3. Louisiana Tech University
    4. 66%
  4. McNeese State University
    5. 69%
  5. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    6. 70%
  6. Louisiana State University
    7. 71%
  7. Grambling State University
    8. 72%
  8. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    9. 78%
  9. Southern University at New Orleans
    10. 79%
  10. University of New Orleans
    11. 81%
  1. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
    2. 16 to 1
  2. Southern University at New Orleans
    3. 17 to 1
  3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    4. 18 to 1
  4. Northwestern State University
    5. 19 to 1
  5. Nicholls State University
    6. 19 to 1
  6. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    7. 19 to 1
  7. Southeastern Louisiana University
    8. 20 to 1
  8. University of New Orleans
    9. 20 to 1
  9. McNeese State University
    10. 21 to 1
  10. Louisiana State University
    11. 22 to 1
  1. Southern University at New Orleans
    2. $4,483
  2. Nicholls State University
    3. $4,922
  3. Southern University
    4. $4,973
  4. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
    5. $4,984
  5. Grambling State University
    6. $5,140
  6. McNeese State University
    7. $5,147
  7. Northwestern State University
    8. $5,180
  8. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    9. $5,407
  9. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    10. $5,656
  10. Southeastern Louisiana University
    11. $5,777
  1. Grambling State University
    2. $5,110
  2. Southern University
    3. $5,336
  3. Louisiana Tech University
    4. $5,416
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    5. $5,511
  5. Nicholls State University
    6. $5,686
  6. McNeese State University
    7. $5,703
  7. Northwestern State University
    8. $5,738
  8. Southern University at New Orleans
    9. $6,024
  9. University of New Orleans
    10. $6,090
  10. Louisiana State University Shreveport
    11. $6,196

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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

Louisiana's Best Public Colleges Badge
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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 14 public universities in Louisiana. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Louisiana, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2022

  11. #10

    Nicholls State University

    Thibodaux , LA
    #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/21

    What is Nicholls State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. #11

    Northwestern State University

    Natchitoches , LA
    #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1054/20

    What is Northwestern State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. #13

    Louisiana State University of Alexandria

    Alexandria , LA
    #7 Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/20

    What is Louisiana State University of Alexandria known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. #14

    Louisiana State University Shreveport

    Shreveport , LA

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    What is Louisiana State University Shreveport known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

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Louisiana’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

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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. Louisiana Tech University
  2. University of New Orleans
  3. Louisiana State University
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  5. Southeastern Louisiana University
  6. Louisiana State University Shreveport
  7. McNeese State University
  8. Nicholls State University
  9. Northwestern State University
  10. Grambling State University
  11. University of Louisiana at Monroe

Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.

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