Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024

Badge for BEST IN LOUISIANA RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Interested in attending a STEM school in Louisiana? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2024

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  1. Tulane University
  2. Louisiana State University
  3. University of New Orleans
  4. Loyola University New Orleans
  5. Louisiana Tech University
  6. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  7. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  1. Tulane University
  2. Louisiana State University
  3. University of New Orleans
  4. Loyola University New Orleans
  5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  6. Louisiana Tech University
  7. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  1. Loyola University New Orleans 78%
  2. Louisiana State University 76%
  3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 75%
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe 70%
  5. University of New Orleans 70%
  6. Louisiana Tech University 62%
  7. Tulane University 11%
  1. Louisiana Tech University 23 to 1
  2. Louisiana State University 22 to 1
  3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18 to 1
  4. University of New Orleans 18 to 1
  5. University of Louisiana at Monroe 17 to 1
  6. Loyola University New Orleans 13 to 1
  7. Tulane University 8 to 1
  1. Tulane University $62,844
  2. Loyola University New Orleans $45,030
  3. Louisiana State University $8,038
  4. Louisiana Tech University $6,401
  5. University of New Orleans $6,090
  6. University of Louisiana at Monroe $5,788
  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,407
  1. Tulane University $61,066
  2. Loyola University New Orleans $18,091
  3. Louisiana State University $9,132
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe $6,490
  5. University of New Orleans $6,090
  6. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,511
  7. Louisiana Tech University $5,416
  1. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  3. Louisiana Tech University
  4. Loyola University New Orleans
  5. University of New Orleans
  6. Louisiana State University
  7. Tulane University
  1. University of Louisiana at Monroe
  2. Louisiana Tech University
  3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  4. Loyola University New Orleans
  5. University of New Orleans
  6. Louisiana State University
  7. Tulane University
  1. Tulane University 11%
  2. Louisiana Tech University 62%
  3. University of New Orleans 70%
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe 70%
  5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 75%
  6. Louisiana State University 76%
  7. Loyola University New Orleans 78%
  1. Tulane University 8 to 1
  2. Loyola University New Orleans 13 to 1
  3. University of Louisiana at Monroe 17 to 1
  4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18 to 1
  5. University of New Orleans 18 to 1
  6. Louisiana State University 22 to 1
  7. Louisiana Tech University 23 to 1
  1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,407
  2. University of Louisiana at Monroe $5,788
  3. University of New Orleans $6,090
  4. Louisiana Tech University $6,401
  5. Louisiana State University $8,038
  6. Loyola University New Orleans $45,030
  7. Tulane University $62,844
  1. Louisiana Tech University $5,416
  2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette $5,511
  3. University of New Orleans $6,090
  4. University of Louisiana at Monroe $6,490
  5. Louisiana State University $9,132
  6. Loyola University New Orleans $18,091
  7. Tulane University $61,066

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 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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Louisiana's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 7 research universities in Louisiana. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in Louisiana 2023

  2. #2

    Louisiana State University

    Baton Rouge , LA
    #12 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Louisiana 2025
    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: $23,264
    Starting Salary: $60,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Louisiana State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

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Find the Best Research Universities in Louisiana for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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.

  1. Tulane University
  2. Loyola University New Orleans
  3. Louisiana Tech University
  4. Louisiana State University
  5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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