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Louisiana State University-Shreveport vs Blue Cliff College-Alexandria: which has better ROI?

Public, Shreveport LA · vs · Private for-profit, Alexandria LA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Louisiana State University-Shreveport comes closer — median earnings $47,477 against a $28,088 total, vs $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLouisiana State University-ShreveportBlue Cliff College-Alexandria
Net price / yr$7,022$16,253
Total net cost$28,088$65,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,477$22,177
Median debt$22,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$45,748-$588,672

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?

Louisiana State University-Shreveport, at $7,022 a year after aid versus $16,253 — a gap of $9,231 a year, or $36,924 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-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria graduates earn more?

Louisiana State University-Shreveport graduates report a median $47,477 ten years after entry, $25,300 more than the $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria. 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-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?

Blue Cliff College-Alexandria: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, a difference of $13,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

38% of students finish at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, against 34% at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria. 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-Shreveport vs Blue Cliff College-Alexandria: frequently asked questions

Is Louisiana State University-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria a better value?
Louisiana State University-Shreveport comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?
Louisiana State University-Shreveport: $7,022/yr net price after aid versus $16,253/yr at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria — a difference of $9,231 a year, or about $36,924 over four years.
Do Louisiana State University-Shreveport or Blue Cliff College-Alexandria graduates earn more?
Louisiana State University-Shreveport graduates earn a median $47,477 ten years after entry, versus $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria — a $25,300 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.