Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Louisiana State University-Alexandria
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 33-point ROI advantage over Louisiana State University-Alexandria, scoring 76/100 versus 43/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Louisiana State University-Alexandria comes in at $7,065 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $12,086 annually, or roughly $48,344 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median of $61,251 compared to $42,205 at Louisiana State University-Alexandria. The payback period is 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College versus 23.4 years at Louisiana State University-Alexandria.
Graduates leave Louisiana State University-Alexandria with a median $19,000 in debt versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.58 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Louisiana State Universit... | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,954 | $7,050 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,631 | $14,650 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,151 | $7,065 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $76,604 | $28,260 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,000 | $33,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,251 | $42,205 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.8% | 34.2% |
| Payback Period | 8.3 yr | 23.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.58 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.5% | 80.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.3% | 57.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 73.3% | 92.1% |
| Enrollment | 30,594 | 5,632 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1340 | 970-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Louisiana State Univ... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,056 | $5,008 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $15,696 | $5,075 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $20,223 | $7,524 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $23,878 | $10,794 |
| $110,001+ | $26,489 | $11,941 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Louisiana State Univ... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,590 | $49,772 |
| Psychology | $51,675 | $44,069 |
| Teacher Education | $51,577 | $40,820 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $43,964 | $47,171 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Louisiana State Univ... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 75 | 56 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 73 | 22 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 56 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 14 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 75 | 71 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 43 |
The Verdict
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College significantly outperforms Louisiana State University-Alexandria on financial ROI (76 vs 43). The 33-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Louisiana State University-Alexandria 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
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
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.