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Louisiana Tech University vs Centenary College of Louisiana: which has better ROI?

Public, Ruston LA · vs · Private nonprofit, Shreveport LA

The verdict

Louisiana Tech University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $47,456 in 12.1 years versus 48 years at Centenary College of Louisiana, on median earnings of $52,279 vs $50,330 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLouisiana Tech UniversityCentenary College of Louisiana
Net price / yr$11,864$23,624
Total net cost$47,456$94,496
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,279$50,330
Median debt$22,135$27,000
Payback12.1 yrs48 yrs
20-year net return$30,924-$55,096

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

Which is cheaper, Louisiana Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana?

Louisiana Tech University, at $11,864 a year after aid versus $23,624 — a gap of $11,760 a year, or $47,040 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 Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana graduates earn more?

Louisiana Tech University graduates report a median $52,279 ten years after entry, $1,949 more than the $50,330 at Centenary College of Louisiana. 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 Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana?

Louisiana Tech University: its completers carry a median $22,135 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centenary College of Louisiana, a difference of $4,865. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Louisiana Tech University, against 56% at Centenary College of Louisiana. 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 Tech University vs Centenary College of Louisiana: frequently asked questions

Is Louisiana Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana a better value?
Louisiana Tech University. It clears its $47,456 net cost in about 12.1 years versus 48 years at Centenary College of Louisiana, on median earnings of $52,279 vs $50,330 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana?
Louisiana Tech University: $11,864/yr net price after aid versus $23,624/yr at Centenary College of Louisiana — a difference of $11,760 a year, or about $47,040 over four years.
Do Louisiana Tech University or Centenary College of Louisiana graduates earn more?
Louisiana Tech University graduates earn a median $52,279 ten years after entry, versus $50,330 at Centenary College of Louisiana — a $1,949 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.