Oregon State University vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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
Oregon State University and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are closely matched on financial return. Oregon State University scores 75/100 while Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College scores 76/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College comes in at $19,151 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,604 at Oregon State University - a difference of $453 annually, or roughly $1,812 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Oregon State University graduates earn a median of $64,010 compared to $61,251 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The payback period is 7.5 years at Oregon State University versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
Graduates leave Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,221 at Oregon State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.50 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Oregon State University | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,400 | $11,954 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,190 | $28,631 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,604 | $19,151 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $78,416 | $76,604 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,010 | $61,251 |
| Graduation Rate | 70.1% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 7.5 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,221 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $225 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.50 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.2% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.9% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.3% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 30,743 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1140-1400 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Oregon State Univers... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,107 | $13,056 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,036 | $15,696 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,729 | $20,223 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,262 | $23,878 |
| $110,001+ | $27,459 | $26,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Oregon State Univers... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $121,405 | $89,307 |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,741 | $114,226 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,359 | $97,208 |
| Industrial Engineering | $101,653 | $94,748 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $100,182 | $44,717 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,740 | $99,975 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,427 | $95,302 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,822 | $85,627 |
| Environmental Engineering | $87,699 | $80,129 |
| Accounting | $75,219 | $82,617 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,660 | $64,590 |
| Marketing | $73,205 | $60,408 |
| Mathematics | $72,318 | $64,121 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $39,450 | $67,493 |
| International Relations | $63,354 | $67,007 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Oregon State Univers... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 78 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 79 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 74 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 78 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 58 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College edges out Oregon State University by 1 points (76 vs 75), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Oregon State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Strong 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.