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Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College vs University of Louisiana at Lafayette: which has better ROI?

Public, Baton Rouge LA · vs · Public, Lafayette LA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 not at all at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, on median earnings of $61,251 vs $47,089 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLouisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette
Net price / yr$19,151$13,530
Total net cost$76,604$54,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,251$47,089
Median debt$20,500$22,902
Payback5.9 yrs—
20-year net return$181,216-$79,540

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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, at $13,530 a year after aid versus $19,151 — a gap of $5,621 a year, or $22,484 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates earn more?

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates report a median $61,251 ten years after entry, $14,162 more than the $47,089 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,902 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a difference of $2,402. 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 53% at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette: frequently asked questions

Is Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or University of Louisiana at Lafayette a better value?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. It clears its $76,604 net cost in about 5.9 years versus no clear payback at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, on median earnings of $61,251 vs $47,089 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or University of Louisiana at Lafayette?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: $13,530/yr net price after aid versus $19,151/yr at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — a difference of $5,621 a year, or about $22,484 over four years.
Do Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College or University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates earn more?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median $61,251 ten years after entry, versus $47,089 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette — a $14,162 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.