Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Louisiana State University-Alexandria

On the numbers, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College comes out ahead: 76/100 to 43/100, a 33-point edge over Louisiana State University-Alexandria. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.

Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, Louisiana State University-Alexandria runs $7,065 a year against $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - $12,086 more a year, or about $48,344 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median $61,251 against $42,205 at Louisiana State University-Alexandria. The cost earns itself back in 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College and 23.4 years at Louisiana State University-Alexandria.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Louisiana State University-Alexandria owing a median $19,000 versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.58 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.