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Tulane University of Louisiana — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · New Orleans, LA · 7,767 students

The verdict

Tulane University of Louisiana charges a net price of $39,949/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $159,796. Graduates earn a median $63,268 ten years after entry, $14,908/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.7 years — a 20-year net return of $138,364, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Tulane University of Louisiana's 10.7-year payback ranks #820 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 36% of them, and #5 of 52 in Louisiana.

Better ROI than 36% of US colleges#820 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$39,949
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$63,268
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
10.7 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
14%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Tulane University of Louisiana: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$39,949/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$159,796our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$63,268Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$14,908/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$20,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback10.7 yrsour math
20-year net return$138,364our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Tulane University of Louisiana's own numbers. Net price $39,949 × 4 years = $159,796 total. Median earnings $63,268 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $14,908 a year of premium. $159,796 ÷ $14,908 = 10.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $138,364. 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 Tulane University of Louisiana students graduate with?

A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $63,268 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Tulane University of Louisiana students graduate?

86% finish their degree. Spread the $159,796 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $185,809 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana expensive compared with other Louisiana colleges?

Its $39,949 net price runs $26,055 above the $13,895 median across the 52 Louisiana colleges we profile, or $104,218 more across the full degree.

Tulane University of Louisiana: frequently asked questions

Is Tulane University of Louisiana worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Tulane University of Louisiana charges $39,949/yr after aid ($159,796 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $63,268 ten years out — $14,908/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 10.7 years and returns $138,364 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Tulane University of Louisiana degree take to pay off?
About 10.7 years. We divide the $159,796 four-year net cost by the $14,908/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Tulane University of Louisiana cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $39,949/yr — about $159,796 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Tulane University of Louisiana compare to other Louisiana colleges?
It ranks #5 of 52 Louisiana colleges we track by payback. Its $63,268 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $39,949 net price is above the national median of $16,902.