Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2024

Badge for BEST IN LOUISIANA SMALL COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Small colleges in Louisiana are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2024

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  1. Loyola University New Orleans
  2. Xavier University of Louisiana
  3. Dillard University
  4. Grambling State University
  5. Southern University at New Orleans
  6. Centenary College of Louisiana
  7. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
  8. Louisiana Christian University
  9. University of Holy Cross
  1. Loyola University New Orleans
  2. Dillard University
  3. Xavier University of Louisiana
  4. Grambling State University
  5. Centenary College of Louisiana
  6. Southern University at New Orleans
  7. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
  8. Louisiana Christian University
  9. University of Holy Cross
  1. Xavier University of Louisiana 95%
  2. Southern University at New Orleans 94%
  3. University of Holy Cross 87%
  4. Dillard University 80%
  5. Loyola University New Orleans 78%
  6. Louisiana Christian University 75%
  7. Centenary College of Louisiana 64%
  8. Louisiana State University of Alexandria 58%
  9. Grambling State University 42%
  1. Grambling State University 25 to 1
  2. Louisiana State University of Alexandria 14 to 1
  3. Xavier University of Louisiana 13 to 1
  4. Loyola University New Orleans 13 to 1
  5. Southern University at New Orleans 13 to 1
  6. Dillard University 13 to 1
  7. Louisiana Christian University 11 to 1
  8. University of Holy Cross 10 to 1
  9. Centenary College of Louisiana 8 to 1
  1. Loyola University New Orleans $45,030
  2. Centenary College of Louisiana $38,820
  3. Xavier University of Louisiana $26,863
  4. Dillard University $20,224
  5. Louisiana Christian University $19,720
  6. University of Holy Cross $15,960
  7. Grambling State University $5,140
  8. Louisiana State University of Alexandria $4,950
  9. Southern University at New Orleans $4,483
  1. Loyola University New Orleans $18,091
  2. Xavier University of Louisiana $14,899
  3. University of Holy Cross $13,230
  4. Centenary College of Louisiana $9,135
  5. Louisiana Christian University $8,100
  6. Southern University at New Orleans $6,024
  7. Grambling State University $5,110
  1. University of Holy Cross
  2. Louisiana Christian University
  3. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
  4. Centenary College of Louisiana
  5. Southern University at New Orleans
  6. Grambling State University
  7. Dillard University
  8. Xavier University of Louisiana
  9. Loyola University New Orleans
  1. University of Holy Cross
  2. Louisiana Christian University
  3. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
  4. Southern University at New Orleans
  5. Centenary College of Louisiana
  6. Grambling State University
  7. Xavier University of Louisiana
  8. Dillard University
  9. Loyola University New Orleans
  1. Grambling State University 42%
  2. Louisiana State University of Alexandria 58%
  3. Centenary College of Louisiana 64%
  4. Louisiana Christian University 75%
  5. Loyola University New Orleans 78%
  6. Dillard University 80%
  7. University of Holy Cross 87%
  8. Southern University at New Orleans 94%
  9. Xavier University of Louisiana 95%
  1. Centenary College of Louisiana 8 to 1
  2. University of Holy Cross 10 to 1
  3. Louisiana Christian University 11 to 1
  4. Xavier University of Louisiana 13 to 1
  5. Loyola University New Orleans 13 to 1
  6. Southern University at New Orleans 13 to 1
  7. Dillard University 13 to 1
  8. Louisiana State University of Alexandria 14 to 1
  9. Grambling State University 25 to 1
  1. Southern University at New Orleans $4,483
  2. Louisiana State University of Alexandria $4,950
  3. Grambling State University $5,140
  4. University of Holy Cross $15,960
  5. Louisiana Christian University $19,720
  6. Dillard University $20,224
  7. Xavier University of Louisiana $26,863
  8. Centenary College of Louisiana $38,820
  9. Loyola University New Orleans $45,030
  1. Grambling State University $5,110
  2. Southern University at New Orleans $6,024
  3. Louisiana Christian University $8,100
  4. Centenary College of Louisiana $9,135
  5. University of Holy Cross $13,230
  6. Xavier University of Louisiana $14,899
  7. Loyola University New Orleans $18,091

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

Louisiana's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Louisiana is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 9 small colleges in Louisiana. The list below of the best small colleges in Louisiana. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Louisiana 2023

  2. #2

    Xavier University of Louisiana

    New Orleans , LA
    #11 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2024
    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
    What is Xavier University of Louisiana known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Grambling State University

    Grambling , LA
    #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #9 Best Grad Schools in Louisiana 2024
    Other Rankings

    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
    What is Grambling State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Southern University at New Orleans

    New Orleans , LA
    #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern University at New Orleans

    Cost of Degree: $7,470
    Expenses: $15,010
    Starting Salary: $32,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southern University at New Orleans known for?

    Southern University at New Orleans’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Centenary College of Louisiana

    Shreveport , LA
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #5 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Louisiana 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Centenary College of Louisiana

    Cost of Degree: $38,820
    Expenses: $19,980
    Starting Salary: $52,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Centenary College of Louisiana known for?

    Centenary College of Louisiana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Louisiana State University of Alexandria

    Alexandria , LA

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana State University of Alexandria

    Cost of Degree: $7,050
    Expenses: $14,130
    Starting Salary: $36,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Louisiana State University of Alexandria known for?

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

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Louisiana Christian University

    Pineville , LA
    #5 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1105/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Louisiana Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $19,720
    Expenses: $14,416
    Starting Salary: $48,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Louisiana Christian University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  10. #9

    University of Holy Cross

    New Orleans , LA
    #6 Best Christian Colleges in Louisiana 2025 #7 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana 2024

    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:

    Compare school
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Louisiana’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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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.

  1. Dillard University
  2. Loyola University New Orleans
  3. Louisiana Christian University
  4. Xavier University of Louisiana
  5. Centenary College of Louisiana
  6. Louisiana State University Shreveport
  7. Grambling State University
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