Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana · Public · 92.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Louisiana State University-Alexandria scores 43 (Poor Value) despite having the lowest net price in our dataset: $7,065 per year and $28,260 total four-year cost. The school is pulled down by a 34.2% completion rate and a 23.4-year payback period. Median 6-year earnings of $33,000 are very low, and the 5-year loan repayment rate drops sharply to 57.3% after an initial 80% at year one and three - an unusual pattern suggesting many borrowers re-enter deferment or default between years three and five. Nursing is the only program with strong outcomes; the rest of the program catalog produces C-grade or weaker results.
The data raises concerns about Louisiana State University-Alexandria
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate34.2% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period23.4 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,050/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,650/yr |
| Average net price | $7,065/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $28,260 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,205 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 23.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 34.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,632 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,050/year ($14,650/year out-of-state). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $7,065/year, or roughly $28,260 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $5,008/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $11,941/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $19,000 in federal loans, which works out to about $201 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $42,205 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.58, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
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 | $5,008 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,075 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,524 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,794 |
| $110,001+ | $11,941 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income families (under $30,000) pay $5,008 per year - approximately $20,000 over four years, one of the lowest four-year costs in Louisiana's public system. At this price, even D-grade program outcomes are less financially damaging than at higher-cost schools. Nursing students paying $5,000 per year and earning $82,919 year-one have an exceptional cost-to-earnings ratio. The completion rate risk remains the most important variable.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $7,524 and the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $10,794 per year. Middle-income families have access to one of the most affordable four-year options in Louisiana. The financial risk is primarily the completion probability, not the absolute cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $11,941 per year - roughly $48,000 over four years. At this price with median earnings of $33,000, even poor outcomes are financially manageable in absolute terms. High-income families are unlikely to be LSUA's primary audience.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Louisiana State University-Alexandria with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $47,171 | D |
| Psychology | $44,069 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,772 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $87,651 | B+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,560 | C |
| Teacher Education | $40,820 | - |
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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (59 graduates) earns $82,919 at year one and $87,651 at year four with a B+ grade and 0.339 debt-to-earnings ratio. At a net price of $7,065 per year, nursing at LSUA represents one of the lowest-cost pathways to RN wages in Louisiana. The modest debt-to-earnings ratio and strong earnings create a genuinely strong financial case for nursing students who complete the program.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (72 graduates) earns $38,225 at year one and $49,772 at year four with a C ROI grade and 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio. These are modest outcomes even at LSUA's low price, and year-one earnings of $38,225 in central Louisiana reflect the regional labor market's wage constraints. The C grade is the best available non-nursing outcome at the school.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences (110 graduates) earns $32,463 at year one and $47,171 at year four with a D grade and 0.801 debt-to-earnings ratio. As one of the largest programs, this field's weak outcomes contribute materially to LSUA's aggregate. The D grade even at a $7,000 net price reflects how poorly near-term earnings align with this debt load.
Psychology
Psychology (107 graduates) earns $30,362 at year one and $44,069 at year four with a D grade and 0.889 debt-to-earnings ratio. Year-one earnings of $30,362 against $27,000 median debt produce a near-term debt-to-income ratio approaching 0.9. Psychology graduates in central Louisiana's labor market face limited high-wage opportunities without advanced degrees.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 58.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Louisiana State University-Alexandria’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 92.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 480-610 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-22 |
| Enrollment | 5,632 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,220 |
At 92.1% acceptance with ACT mid-range of 17-22, LSUA is effectively open-access. The school serves as the primary four-year public option in central Louisiana - a region with limited higher education infrastructure. SAT mid-range of 480-610 Math and 490-610 Reading reflects a wide range of incoming academic preparation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
LSUA's peer schools include Grambling State University and Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge (the system flagship). LSUA (43, Poor Value) scores below the LSU flagship, which has stronger completion rates and broader program outcomes. Among Louisiana regional public universities, LSUA's 34.2% completion rate is weak. Grambling, another HBCU, shares similar completion and earnings challenges driven by student population economics rather than institutional quality alone.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria (this school) | 43 | $7,065 | $42,205 |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 76 | $19,151 | $61,251 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 45 | $21,331 | $53,775 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | 44 | $16,804 | $51,019 |
| Dalton State College | 41 | $5,012 | $40,251 |
| Grambling State University | 12 | $19,809 | $41,109 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See Louisiana State University-Alexandria side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
LSUA admits 92.1% of applicants with ACT mid-range of 17-22, making it broadly accessible for central Louisiana students. At 5,632 students with a 35.4% Pell grant rate, it serves working adults and traditional students in the Alexandria region. The 34.2% completion rate is the dominant warning sign: two-thirds of entering students don't graduate. Students who are committed to nursing and can complete the program will find a reasonable financial pathway. Students in Liberal Arts or Psychology face D-grade returns even at LSUA's very low price point.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
We'll be straight with you: the numbers at Louisiana State University-Alexandria are a real concern. With a net cost of $7,065 per year and the typical graduate earning only $42,205 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 23.4 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost - go in with your eyes open.
What to keep an eye on: its 34.2% graduation rate, a long payback period.
Median debt of $19,000 against $42,205 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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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.