Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana · Private Nonprofit · 93.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 42/100 · Poor Value
Loyola University New Orleans scores 42 (Poor Value) on CampusROI. The core problem is a combination of high private-college sticker price ($49,440 tuition), weak earnings ($36,000 median 6-year), high debt ($26,000 median), and a 59.0% completion rate that is below average for a private nonprofit. The resulting payback period of 13.1 years and debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.722 are both concerning. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT test score ranges for Loyola New Orleans. The 93.1% admission rate signals that selectivity is not a filter here. Among reported programs, Accounting is the outlier at $69,590 year-four earnings, though with only 8 graduates it's a small pipeline. Most other programs -- Psychology (85 graduates, F-grade ROI), Arts/Entertainment/Media Management (69 graduates, F-grade), International Relations (23 graduates, F-grade) -- carry debt-to-earnings ratios exceeding 1.0, meaning graduates owe more than they earn annually six years out. The Jesuit institutional identity, New Orleans location, and music/arts culture are real draws, but the Scorecard numbers warrant serious scrutiny for financially-constrained students. Repayment rates of 76.4% at 3 years and 78.3% at 7 years are below average, suggesting a significant share of borrowers are not reducing principal.
The data raises concerns about Loyola University New Orleans
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score42/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Loyola University New Orleans
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $49,440/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,440/yr |
| Average net price | $23,696/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,784 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,927 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,812 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Loyola University New Orleans is $49,440/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,696/year, or roughly $94,784 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,131/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,072/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,927 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.72 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $20,131 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,956 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,042 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,584 |
| $110,001+ | $29,072 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $20,131 net price per year at Loyola New Orleans -- roughly $80,524 over four years. Against median 6-year earnings of $36,000, this produces severe debt exposure. The 37.3% Pell rate means a large share of students are in this situation. For low-income students, this price point relative to these earnings is difficult to justify unless a specific high-earning program like accounting is the target.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-75,000) pay $22,042; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $25,584. The aid taper is modest -- the school is not heavily discounting for middle-income families. At $22,000-$26,000 net price per year against $36,000 median earnings, the numbers are strained for most majors. Middle-income families should compare public university alternatives carefully.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $29,072 net price per year, or roughly $116,000 over four years. For full-pay families with a 13.1-year payback at the median, the financial case depends heavily on the specific major chosen. Accounting and related professional tracks may support the investment; most other programs at Loyola New Orleans do not produce earnings data that justifies $116,000 in all-in costs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Loyola University New Orleans with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $49,380 | F |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $42,089 | F |
| Political Science and Government | $58,058 | D |
| Marketing | $53,481 | D |
| Biology | $30,181 | D |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $53,240 | C |
| International Relations | $59,909 | F |
| Sociology | $26,581 | D |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $46,374 | C |
| Music | $39,658 | C |
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.
Accounting
Accounting is the only program at Loyola New Orleans with strong year-four earnings: $69,590 at year four (Scorecard does not report year-one). With only 8 graduates reported, this is a thin pipeline, but the earnings suggest accounting and finance tracks at Loyola produce competitive CPA-track graduates. Debt data is not reported for this program. Students targeting accounting here should verify class sizes and CPA pass rates, as the small graduate count limits what the Scorecard data can confirm.
Political Science and Government
Political Science is Loyola's highest-volume reported program at 50 graduates. Year-one earnings are $35,578 and year-four $58,058, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.759 (ROI grade D) and median debt of $27,000. The four-year trajectory to $58k is plausible for graduates entering law school or government, but the near-term debt load is heavy. Students not heading to professional school face a challenging repayment window starting from $35k.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest reported program at 85 graduates and carries an F-grade ROI: $24,241 year-one, $49,380 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.104. Median debt of $26,750 against $24,241 in starting earnings means most graduates immediately face debt-service stress. The four-year figure of $49k suggests eventual improvement, but the early career window is genuinely difficult. Students considering psychology at Loyola should factor in graduate school costs for any credential that improves earnings.
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (69 graduates) earns $20,257 year-one and $42,089 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.333 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $27,000 against $20,257 in starting earnings is a difficult combination in an expensive city labor market. The New Orleans arts and entertainment sector is real but not large, and the Scorecard data reflects the national pattern for this field. This program represents a significant financial risk relative to the cost of attendance.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 70.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 78.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.0% |
| Enrollment | 2,812 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,990 |
Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges for Loyola New Orleans. The 93.1% admission rate places it in the effectively open-access tier for private colleges. Admission is not the constraint -- the financial outcomes data is. Students choosing between Loyola New Orleans and in-state public alternatives should model the full cost difference, given the 13.1-year payback period at net price.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Loyola's Scorecard peer set includes Centenary College of Louisiana, Dillard University, Wingate University, and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Dillard University is a nearby HBCU with different context and lower cost. Wingate and Mary Hardin-Baylor are religious private colleges in the Southeast with comparable admission profiles. Among this peer group, Loyola's 42 ROI score reflects the challenge of private college pricing with median earnings in the mid-$30,000 range. Students considering the New Orleans region should also look at Tulane (stronger outcomes, also expensive) and the University of New Orleans (public, lower cost).
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University New Orleans (this school) | 42 | $23,696 | $52,927 |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | 43 | $26,106 | $56,132 |
| Wingate University | 41 | $20,748 | $52,649 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 39 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| Centenary College of Louisiana | 35 | $23,624 | $50,330 |
| Dillard University | 15 | $22,094 | $39,196 |
Who Thrives Here
Loyola New Orleans admits 93.1% of applicants. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges. With 2,812 enrolled students and a Pell grant rate of 37.3%, the campus draws a substantial share of lower-income and first-generation students who are particularly exposed to the poor completion and earnings data. The institution attracts students drawn to Jesuit values, New Orleans culture, music, journalism, and communications. Students who self-select here for program-specific or cultural reasons should run the financial numbers carefully, particularly for arts and humanities programs where the ROI data is poor.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Loyola University New Orleans. With a net cost of $23,696 per year and median graduate earnings of only $52,927 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 13.1 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $26,000 against $52,927 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.