Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Louisiana State University at Alexandria — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Louisiana State University at Alexandria at a Glance
Louisiana State University of Alexandria is a public college in Alexandria, Louisiana. It is Louisiana's singular undergraduate-only public institution and it offers undergraduate degrees in numerous disciplines. The university is a unit of the LSU System and operates under the auspices of the Louisiana Board of Regents. As of Fall 2025, LSUA had an enrollment of 7,684 students which is recorded as the highest in the university's history. The institution is located eight miles south of downtown …
1959
67 years old
7,728
7,728 undergrad
218 acres
Identity
Is Louisiana State University at Alexandria Worth It?
Louisiana State University at Alexandria offers moderate value at $7,065/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $42,205, which is 22% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Louisiana State University at Alexandria compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #34 of 156 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #34 | Louisiana State University at Alexandria | 52 | $7,065 | $42,205 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Louisiana State University at Alexandria's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in LA.
Best Programs at Louisiana State University at Alexandria
The highest-earning program at Louisiana State University at Alexandria is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $39,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $23,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Louisiana State University at Alexandria earns $39,500, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $23,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $28,310 in median debt vs. $21,821 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,065/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,500 | $39,500 | $28,310 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,500 | $28,500 | $18,769 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,100 | $23,100 | $21,821 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Alexandria, LA
- Student Body
- 5,632 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,065
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,205
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000