Baton Rouge Community College vs Louisiana State University at Alexandria: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Louisiana State University at Alexandria comes closer — median earnings $42,205 against a $28,260 total, vs $34,581 at Baton Rouge Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Baton Rouge Community College | Louisiana State University at Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,474 | $7,065 |
| Total net cost | $37,896 | $28,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,581 | $42,205 |
| Median debt | $12,450 | $19,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$313,476 | -$151,360 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Baton Rouge Community College or Louisiana State University at Alexandria?
Louisiana State University at Alexandria, at $7,065 a year after aid versus $9,474 — a gap of $2,409 a year, or $9,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Baton Rouge Community College or Louisiana State University at Alexandria graduates earn more?
Louisiana State University at Alexandria graduates report a median $42,205 ten years after entry, $7,624 more than the $34,581 at Baton Rouge Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Baton Rouge Community College or Louisiana State University at Alexandria?
Baton Rouge Community College: its completers carry a median $12,450 in federal loans versus $19,000 at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, a difference of $6,550. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, against 31% at Baton Rouge Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.