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2024 Best Grad Schools in Louisiana for Master's Degrees

18 Colleges
$52,232 Avg Salary

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a grad degree. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Master's Degree Colleges in Louisiana ranking.

What's on This Page: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best Grad School for You

Our analysis looked at 18 grad schools in Louisiana to determine which ones have the best master's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best grad schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Average Earnings

Average early-career salary of those graduating with a master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Taking Out Student Loans

In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that graduate students take on while pursuing their master's degree. We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty master's recipients will have paying back their loans.

More Ranking Factors That Are Important

We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Master's Degree Schools ranking. On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.

We go into more detail on these factors on our graduate school ranking methodology page.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Other Graduate Rankings
You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best master's degree schools nearest you. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you plan to take your education even further, you may want to visit our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking.

Top Master's Degree Schools in Louisiana

Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:

1
Tulane crest
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
1,651 Master's Degrees Awarded
$53,755 Average Early-Career Earnings

Our 2024 rankings named Tulane University of Louisiana the best grad school in Louisiana in terms of overall quality for students working on their master’s degree. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,651 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Tulane is $53,755 during the early years of their career.

Full Tulane University of Louisiana Report

2
1,399 Master's Degrees Awarded
$47,118 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana list. This large public school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 1,399 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,118 during the early years of their career.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Report

3
3,243 Master's Degrees Awarded
$45,157 Average Early-Career Earnings

The excellent master’s degree programs at Louisiana State University - Shreveport helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Louisiana. Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,243 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Louisiana State University - Shreveport go into careers with an average salary of $45,157 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Louisiana State University - Shreveport

4
Loyola New Orleans crest
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
221 Master's Degrees Awarded
$62,466 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 18 master’s degree schools in Louisiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Loyola University New Orleans landed the #4 spot on the list. Loyola New Orleans is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 221 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Loyola New Orleans make an average of $62,466 a year.

Read full report on Loyola University New Orleans

5
Louisiana Tech crest
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana
384 Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,780 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #5 on our Best Master’s Degree in Louisiana list means Louisiana Tech University is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Ruston, Louisiana, the fairly large public school awarded 384 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $52,780 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Louisiana Tech University

6
487 Master's Degrees Awarded
$48,491 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Louisiana at Monroe came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. Located in Monroe, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school handed out 487 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $48,491 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About University of Louisiana at Monroe

7
706 Master's Degrees Awarded
$55,703 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking, coming in at #7. UL Lafayette is a fairly large public school situated in Lafayette, Louisiana. It awarded 706 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $55,703 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Report

8
McNeese crest
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana
207 Master's Degrees Awarded
$51,431 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #8, McNeese State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana list. McNeese is a public institution located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 207 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from McNeese make an average of $51,431 per year during the early years of their career.

Full McNeese State University Report

9
Nicholls State University crest
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, Louisiana
185 Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,360 Average Early-Career Earnings

Nicholls State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 185 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Nicholls State University is $52,360 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Nicholls State University

10
259 Master's Degrees Awarded
$47,122 Average Early-Career Earnings

Northwestern State University of Louisiana landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and it awarded 259 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from NSU make an average of $47,122 a year.

Full Northwestern State University of Louisiana Report

11
UNO crest
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
421 Master's Degrees Awarded
$45,637 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of New Orleans came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 421 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UNO make an average of $45,637 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of New Orleans

12
UHC crest
University of Holy Cross
New Orleans, Louisiana
86 Master's Degrees Awarded
$44,036 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Holy Cross did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking, coming in at #12. University of Holy Cross is a small private not-for-profit school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 86 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $44,036 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About University of Holy Cross

13
XULA crest
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
56 Master's Degrees Awarded
$38,433 Average Early-Career Earnings

Xavier University of Louisiana landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 56 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from XULA make an average of $38,433 a year.

Read full report on Xavier University of Louisiana

14
Louisiana College crest
Louisiana College
Pineville, Louisiana
69 Master's Degrees Awarded
$43,077 Average Early-Career Earnings

Louisiana College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. Located in Pineville, Louisiana, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 69 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,077 during the early years of their career.

Full Louisiana College Report

15
278 Master's Degrees Awarded
$53,070 Average Early-Career Earnings

Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking. Southeastern is located in Hammond, Louisiana and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 278 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Southeastern go into careers with an average salary of $53,070 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southeastern Louisiana University

16
113 Master's Degrees Awarded
$39,563 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #16, Southern University at New Orleans did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana list. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the small public school awarded 113 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from SUNO make an average of $39,563 a year.

Learn More About Southern University at New Orleans

17
262 Master's Degrees Awarded
$48,456 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #17, Southern University and A & M College did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana list. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 262 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Southern University and A & M College make an average of $48,456 a year.

Read full report on Southern University and A & M College

18
GSU crest
Grambling State University
Grambling, Louisiana
198 Master's Degrees Awarded
$34,391 Average Early-Career Earnings

Grambling State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Louisiana ranking, coming in at #18. Grambling State University is a medium-sized public school located in Grambling, Louisiana that handed out 198 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from GSU make an average of $34,391 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Grambling State University

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Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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