Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Baton Rouge Community College: which has better ROI?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,604 in 5.9 years versus not at all at Baton Rouge Community College, on median earnings of $61,251 vs $34,581 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,151 | $9,474 |
| Total net cost | $76,604 | $37,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,251 | $34,581 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $12,450 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $181,216 | -$313,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Baton Rouge Community College?
Baton Rouge Community College, at $9,474 a year after aid versus $19,151 — a gap of $9,677 a year, or $38,708 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Baton Rouge Community College graduates earn more?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates report a median $61,251 ten years after entry, $26,670 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, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Baton Rouge Community College?
Baton Rouge Community College: its completers carry a median $12,450 in federal loans versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, a difference of $8,050. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, 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.