
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023
Questions & Answers
What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.
What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $16,950 and the average private school would be $25,881. You can also get information on specific Louisiana schools in the chart above or the tables below.
Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- College savings and investments
- Payments from current income
- Loans
- Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work

Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
Total Cost at Louisiana State A&M (2020-21) | |
---|---|
Tuition and Fees | $11,962 |
Room and Board | $12,708 |
Books | $1,038 |
Other Expenses | $7,686 |
Total | $33,394 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
College Total Cost | ||
---|---|---|
Family Income | LA Public $24,242 | LA Private $49,830 |
$0 - $30k | $11,136 | $19,197 |
$30,001 – $48k | $11,807 | $19,145 |
$48,001 – $75k | $14,211 | $21,843 |
$75,001 – $110k | $16,950 | $25,881 |
$110,001+ | $16,920 | $29,476 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Louisiana public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $8,000-$13,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Louisiana. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public LA Schools Cost Breakdown
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Grambling State University
Grambling Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $7,635 $7,683 Room and Board $10,990 $10,990 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $4,230 $5,190 Total $24,655 $25,663 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,963 $16,616 $30,001 - $48k $17,143 $17,844 $48,001 - $75k $20,181 $21,006 $75,001 - $110k $22,425 $23,342 $110,001+ $20,428 $21,263 -
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Alexandria Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $6,638 $6,884 Room and Board $7,950 $9,500 Books $1,220 $1,220 Other Expenses $3,332 $3,332 Total $19,171 $20,937 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $5,718 $6,245 $30,001 - $48k $6,322 $6,904 $48,001 - $75k $7,409 $8,092 $75,001 - $110k $8,640 $9,436 $110,001+ $9,130 $9,971 -
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $11,962 $11,958 Room and Board $12,708 $13,154 Books $1,038 $1,038 Other Expenses $7,686 $7,686 Total $33,394 $33,836 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,276 $13,452 $30,001 - $48k $16,019 $16,231 $48,001 - $75k $20,438 $20,709 $75,001 - $110k $23,674 $23,987 $110,001+ $24,946 $25,276 -
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Shreveport Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $7,160 $7,327 Room and Board $8,744 $8,783 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $5,160 $4,290 Total $22,364 $21,700 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,418 $7,198 $30,001 - $48k $7,201 $6,987 $48,001 - $75k $9,327 $9,050 $75,001 - $110k $16,081 $15,604 $110,001+ $15,905 $15,433 -
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,065 $10,065 Room and Board $8,664 $9,210 Books $1,242 $900 Other Expenses $3,876 $3,870 Total $23,847 $24,045 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,421 $8,491 $30,001 - $48k $9,807 $9,888 $48,001 - $75k $12,180 $12,281 $75,001 - $110k $15,677 $15,807 $110,001+ $14,985 $15,109 -
McNeese State University
Lake Charles Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,382 $8,380 Room and Board $9,062 $9,344 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,260 $5,190 Total $23,004 $24,214 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,487 $7,881 $30,001 - $48k $8,035 $8,458 $48,001 - $75k $11,603 $12,213 $75,001 - $110k $14,467 $15,228 $110,001+ $14,320 $15,073
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University of New Orleans
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,072 $9,072 Room and Board $9,795 $11,496 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,580 $5,480 Total $24,747 $27,348 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,175 $11,244 $30,001 - $48k $10,940 $12,090 $48,001 - $75k $13,142 $14,523 $75,001 - $110k $15,908 $17,580 $110,001+ $16,079 $17,769 -
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $7,946 $7,946 Room and Board $10,156 $10,408 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,332 $4,362 Total $23,734 $24,016 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,905 $11,035 $30,001 - $48k $12,084 $12,228 $48,001 - $75k $14,304 $14,474 $75,001 - $110k $15,952 $16,142 $110,001+ $16,710 $16,909 -
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,672 $8,672 Room and Board $9,799 $9,929 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,260 $5,190 Total $24,031 $25,091 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,555 $14,153 $30,001 - $48k $13,960 $14,576 $48,001 - $75k $15,610 $16,299 $75,001 - $110k $18,141 $18,941 $110,001+ $16,117 $16,828 -
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,289 $8,289 Room and Board $9,620 $9,430 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,260 $5,190 Total $23,469 $24,209 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,729 $12,099 $30,001 - $48k $12,357 $12,747 $48,001 - $75k $13,641 $14,071 $75,001 - $110k $15,641 $16,134 $110,001+ $16,360 $16,876 -
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,340 $9,842 Room and Board $9,430 $9,366 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,975 $3,975 Total $24,045 $24,483 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,865 $16,154 $30,001 - $48k $16,447 $16,747 $48,001 - $75k $19,302 $19,654 $75,001 - $110k $21,086 $21,470 $110,001+ $21,786 $22,183 -
Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $7,059 $7,059 Room and Board $9,040 $9,040 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,230 $4,230 Total $21,629 $21,629 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,301 $14,301 $30,001 - $48k $0 $0 $48,001 - $75k $0 $0 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $0 $0 -
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,358 $10,346 Room and Board $11,144 $11,784 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,260 $4,290 Total $27,062 $27,720 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,954 $10,196 $30,001 - $48k $11,368 $11,644 $48,001 - $75k $13,399 $13,725 $75,001 - $110k $15,703 $16,085 $110,001+ $16,268 $16,664
Private LA Schools Cost Breakdown
-
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $38,060 $38,060 Room and Board $13,940 $13,940 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,650 $4,200 Total $56,950 $57,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,908 $26,158 $30,001 - $48k $25,758 $26,007 $48,001 - $75k $31,006 $31,305 $75,001 - $110k $31,243 $31,545 $110,001+ $30,885 $31,183 -
Dillard University
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $19,281 $19,284 Room and Board $10,340 $10,466 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,230 $4,260 Total $35,151 $35,310 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,264 $17,342 $30,001 - $48k $17,403 $17,482 $48,001 - $75k $21,566 $21,664 $75,001 - $110k $24,449 $24,560 $110,001+ $22,781 $22,884 -
Louisiana College
Pineville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $17,500 $17,950 Room and Board $5,854 $6,300 Books $1,400 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,730 $2,990 Total $28,484 $28,540 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,018 $13,044 $30,001 - $48k $12,848 $12,873 $48,001 - $75k $15,340 $15,370 $75,001 - $110k $19,716 $19,755 $110,001+ $18,470 $18,506
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Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $42,278 $43,498 Room and Board $13,546 $13,992 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,160 $3,190 Total $60,284 $61,980 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,458 $18,977 $30,001 - $48k $17,773 $18,273 $48,001 - $75k $20,383 $20,956 $75,001 - $110k $24,449 $25,137 $110,001+ $28,230 $29,024 -
University of Holy Cross
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $15,280 $15,280 Room and Board $8,957 $8,957 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $5,325 $5,325 Total $30,862 $30,862 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,355 $14,355 $30,001 - $48k $15,797 $15,797 $48,001 - $75k $18,314 $18,314 $75,001 - $110k $14,628 $14,628 $110,001+ $19,192 $19,192 -
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $58,852 $60,814 Room and Board $16,248 $16,778 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,380 $2,440 Total $78,680 $81,232 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,669 $24,437 $30,001 - $48k $24,422 $25,214 $48,001 - $75k $25,703 $26,537 $75,001 - $110k $34,313 $35,426 $110,001+ $52,688 $54,397 -
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,822 $26,398 Room and Board $10,150 $10,302 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,160 $2,190 Total $39,432 $40,190 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,864 $17,188 $30,001 - $48k $16,665 $16,985 $48,001 - $75k $17,057 $17,385 $75,001 - $110k $21,114 $21,520 $110,001+ $23,799 $24,256
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