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Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Louisiana Tech University: which has better ROI?

Public, Baton Rouge LA · vs · Public, Ruston LA

The verdict

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 12.1 years at Louisiana Tech University, on median earnings of $61,251 vs $52,279 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLouisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisiana Tech University
Net price / yr$19,151$11,864
Total net cost$76,604$47,456
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,251$52,279
Median debt$20,500$22,135
Payback5.9 yrs12.1 yrs
20-year net return$181,216$30,924

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 Louisiana Tech University?

Louisiana Tech University, at $11,864 a year after aid versus $19,151 — a gap of $7,287 a year, or $29,148 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 Louisiana Tech University graduates earn more?

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates report a median $61,251 ten years after entry, $8,972 more than the $52,279 at Louisiana Tech University. 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 Louisiana Tech University?

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,135 at Louisiana Tech University, a difference of $1,635. 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 64% at Louisiana Tech University. 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.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs Louisiana Tech University: frequently asked questions

Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Louisiana Tech University a better value?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. It clears its $76,604 net cost in about 5.9 years versus 12.1 years at Louisiana Tech University, on median earnings of $61,251 vs $52,279 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Louisiana Tech University?
Louisiana Tech University: $11,864/yr net price after aid versus $19,151/yr at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — a difference of $7,287 a year, or about $29,148 over four years.
Do Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or Louisiana Tech University graduates earn more?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median $61,251 ten years after entry, versus $52,279 at Louisiana Tech University — a $8,972 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.