Centenary College of Louisiana — ROI, Cost & Payback
Centenary College of Louisiana charges a net price of $23,624/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $94,496. Graduates earn a median $50,330 ten years after entry, $1,970/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 48 years — a 20-year net return of -$55,096, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Centenary College of Louisiana's 48-year payback ranks #1,186 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 7% of them, and #10 of 52 in Louisiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,624/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $94,496 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,330 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,970/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$55,096 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Centenary College of Louisiana's own numbers. Net price $23,624 × 4 years = $94,496 total. Median earnings $50,330 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,970 a year of premium. $94,496 ÷ $1,970 = 48 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$55,096. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Centenary College of Louisiana students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 54% of the $50,330 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Centenary College of Louisiana students graduate?
56% finish their degree — 44% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $94,496 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $168,743 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Centenary College of Louisiana expensive compared with other Louisiana colleges?
Its $23,624 net price runs $9,730 above the $13,895 median across the 52 Louisiana colleges we profile, or $38,918 more across the full degree.