Louisiana Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Louisiana College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Louisiana institutions.
Top Louisiana Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU (Baton Rouge) | Public 4-yr | $12,006 | $29,036 | 32,600 |
| University of Louisiana Lafayette | Public 4-yr | $10,410 | $23,770 | 15,800 |
| Louisiana Tech University | Public 4-yr | $10,218 | $27,648 | 10,300 |
| UNO (New Orleans) | Public 4-yr | $10,068 | $25,878 | 6,900 |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Public 4-yr | $9,458 | $23,118 | 14,000 |
| Southern University A&M | Public 4-yr | $9,094 | $19,764 | 6,100 |
| Grambling State University | Public 4-yr | $10,200 | $19,300 | 4,700 |
| Tulane University | Private | $64,724 | $64,724 | 7,600 |
| Loyola New Orleans | Private | $50,530 | $50,530 | 3,100 |
| Delgado CC | Community | $4,400 | $11,000 | 15,500 |
Louisiana State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program)
Louisiana's flagship merit program. Four tiers (Tech, Opportunity, Performance, Honors) covering tuition at LA public schools.
GO Grant
Need-based grant for Pell-eligible LA residents at eligible LA institutions.
TOPS Tech Early Start
Pays tuition for dual-enrollment CTE courses for LA high school students.
Student Loan Options for Louisiana Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Louisiana have a state student loan program?
No. Louisiana does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Louisiana residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Louisiana state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Louisiana students and families.
How much does college cost in Louisiana?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Louisiana public four-year universities is about $10,600 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $24,200 on campus for Louisiana residents and $32,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Louisiana?
Louisiana borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $34,700. Total outstanding federal student debt for Louisiana residents is approximately $23.4 billion.
Does Louisiana offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Louisiana's flagship is TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program), which has four tiers covering tuition at LA public schools. Other programs include GO Grant (need-based), TOPS Tech Early Start, and the LA Medical Education Commission.
Does Louisiana have a state student loan program?
No. Louisiana does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Louisiana residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Louisiana colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
LA community colleges average $4,400 per year. Southern University A&M is the lowest four-year public at $9,094, followed by Southeastern LA. LSU is the highest at $12,006.
What scholarships are available for Louisiana residents?
Key awards include TOPS, GO Grant, TOPS Tech Early Start, LA Medical Education Commission, and LA Nursing School programs. Tulane offers substantial institutional aid.
Related Louisiana Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Louisiana public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- LOSFA program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller