Grambling State University
Grambling, Louisiana · Public · 44.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 12/100 · Poor Value
Grambling State University is a historically Black university in rural north Louisiana with 4,164 students. The ROI score of 12 -- Poor Value tier -- is one of the lowest in this dataset. The numbers are stark: a 36% completion rate, median debt of $36,500, six-year earnings of $26,200, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.393, and a 35.9-year payback period. Only 36 out of 100 students who start at Grambling graduate within six years. Of those who do, many carry debt exceeding their annual salary. The school serves 75% Pell-eligible students -- the most economically vulnerable population -- yet costs them more than $18,000 per year in net price while delivering below-average earnings outcomes. Information Science is the best-performing program by earnings (4-year median $54,803), but even there, the debt load is concerning. The institutional ROI data raises serious questions about whether Grambling is currently structured to serve its students' economic interests.
The data raises concerns about Grambling State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score12/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.39 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate36.2% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period35.9 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Grambling State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,683/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $16,706/yr |
| Average net price | $19,809/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $79,236 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,109 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $26,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $36,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $387 |
| Estimated payback period | 35.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 36.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,164 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Grambling State University is $7,683/year ($16,706/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,809/year, or roughly $79,236 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,666/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,310/year.
The median graduate leaves with $36,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $387 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $41,109 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.39 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,666 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,007 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,743 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,525 |
| $110,001+ | $25,310 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $18,666 per year net. For a 75%-Pell institution serving the most financially vulnerable students, this figure is damaging. Low-income students at Grambling carry median debt of $36,500 at graduation -- nearly $37,000 -- against a median starting salary well below $30,000. The math does not work for most graduates without either completing in a high-earning program or pursuing income-driven repayment aggressively.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30-48k bracket pays $19,007 per year -- barely more than the lowest tier. The $48-75k range hits $21,743. The slope is relatively flat, which would be a positive sign at a school with better outcomes, but here it simply means all income bands face a similar mismatch between cost and earnings returns.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110k pay $25,310 per year -- essentially all families pay a similar net price at Grambling. Four-year cost is about $100,000. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.393 and median 10-year earnings of $41,109, even families with resources need to weigh this investment carefully. The data indicates systemic rather than individual-level problems.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Grambling State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,033 | F |
| Biology | $54,628 | F |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $44,729 | F |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,324 | F |
| Accounting | $50,208 | D |
| Information Science | $54,803 | C |
| Social Work | $42,644 | F |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $44,665 | F |
| Psychology | $43,561 | D |
| Marketing | $41,150 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Information Science
Information Science is Grambling's best-performing program on earnings, with 33 graduates producing four-year median pay of $54,803. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.566 (C grade) with $31,000 in median debt is still high, but it is the strongest ratio on campus. Information science graduates find work in IT administration, database management, and systems support roles in government and healthcare -- two sectors with significant employment in Louisiana and the surrounding region. This is a program where completing the degree and gaining technical certifications can create a viable financial path, even in a labor market that does not pay Silicon Valley wages.
Accounting
Accounting produces 35 graduates annually. Four-year median earnings of $50,208 with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.859 and $43,106 in median debt tell a concerning story. Grambling's accounting graduates carry substantially more debt than accounting graduates at comparable schools, reflecting that the overall debt load is driven by institutional costs relative to state aid in Louisiana. Early-career accounting positions in the region typically start in the $40-50k range, which makes the debt load difficult to manage immediately after graduation.
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
Engineering Technologies produces 24 graduates per year. Early-career median earnings of $40,864 rise to $68,760 at year four -- the strongest earnings trajectory on campus. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.092 (F grade) and $44,625 in median debt reflect a debt burden that dramatically exceeds first-year earnings. The four-year earnings figure of $68,760 suggests that graduates who persist in technical roles can achieve meaningful income growth, but the gap between year-one earnings and the debt load creates real financial stress in the transition years.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 56.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 56.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 42.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 42.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 44.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 430-510 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-570 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 15-19 |
| Enrollment | 4,164 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 75.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,296 |
Grambling admits 45% of applicants -- selective enough to filter some applicants, but the profile of admitted students shows ACT 15-19 and SAT math 430-510, suggesting students who face meaningful academic preparation gaps. Selectivity here is not primarily an academic quality signal; it may reflect capacity constraints more than merit filtering.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Compared to Louisiana State University-Alexandria (a listed peer), Grambling's completion rate (36%) is far below what regional publics typically post. Albany State University and Savannah State University are HBCUs with similar challenges. The 1.393 debt-to-earnings ratio at Grambling exceeds the national average (around 0.65) by more than double. Among the 1,665 schools in this dataset, Grambling ranks in the lowest decile on virtually every ROI metric. The HBCU mission matters -- but the financial outcomes data shows students are carrying extraordinary risk.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grambling State University (this school) | 12 | $19,809 | $41,109 |
| Clark Atlanta University | 14 | $37,702 | $42,712 |
| Johnson C Smith University | 13 | $20,894 | $42,680 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | 11 | $7,099 | $35,594 |
| Paul Quinn College | 11 | $12,709 | $29,288 |
Who Thrives Here
The ACT middle 50% of 15-19 and SAT math 430-510 reflect an academically underprepared incoming class by national standards. The 75% Pell rate indicates a student body with limited financial cushion for setbacks. Students who persist at Grambling tend to be deeply committed to the HBCU mission and community -- the social and cultural value of an HBCU education is real and not captured in earnings data. But from a pure financial lens, the completion rate and debt burdens require an honest assessment before enrolling.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Grambling State University. With a net cost of $19,809 per year and median graduate earnings of only $41,109 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 35.9 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 36.2% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $36,500 against $41,109 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.