Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Grambling State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College holds a 64-point ROI advantage over Grambling State University, scoring 76/100 versus 12/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College comes in at $19,151 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,809 at Grambling State University - a difference of $658 annually, or roughly $2,632 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median of $61,251 compared to $41,109 at Grambling State University. The payback period is 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College versus 35.9 years at Grambling State University.
Graduates leave Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College with a median $20,500 in debt versus $36,500 at Grambling State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 1.39 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Louisiana State Universit... | Grambling State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,954 | $7,683 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,631 | $16,706 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,151 | $19,809 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $76,604 | $79,236 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,000 | $26,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,251 | $41,109 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.8% | 36.2% |
| Payback Period | 8.3 yr | 35.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $36,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $387 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 1.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.5% | 56.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.3% | 42.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 73.3% | 44.9% |
| Enrollment | 30,594 | 4,164 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1340 | 920-1080 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Louisiana State Univ... | Grambling State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,056 | $18,666 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $15,696 | $19,007 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $20,223 | $21,743 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $23,878 | $24,525 |
| $110,001+ | $26,489 | $25,310 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Louisiana State Univ... | Grambling State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $82,617 | $50,208 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,590 | $44,729 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $61,045 | $44,665 |
| Marketing | $60,408 | $41,150 |
| Biology | $56,019 | $54,628 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,245 | $43,324 |
| Psychology | $51,675 | $43,561 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $50,422 | $23,073 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Louisiana State Univ... | Grambling State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 75 | 15 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 73 | 15 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 1 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 16 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 75 | 13 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 12 |
The Verdict
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College significantly outperforms Grambling State University on financial ROI (76 vs 12). The 64-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Grambling State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
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Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Grambling State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.