15 Cheapest Universities in Louisiana for International Students

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In Louisiana, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Louisiana, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 21 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Louisiana, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Louisiana for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Louisiana ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Southern University at New Orleans 8,900 USD 63%
Nicholls State University 10,500 USD - 10,700 USD 56%
McNeese State University 11,500 USD 52%
Southern University and A & M College 12,400 USD 48%
Louisiana State University of Alexandria 14,200 USD - 18,600 USD 40%
University of New Orleans 14,700 USD 38%
Louisiana Tech University 15,200 USD - 19,000 USD 36%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16,000 USD 32%
Louisiana State University Shreveport 16,500 USD 30%
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport 18,000 USD 24%
Dillard University 19,200 USD 19%
Louisiana Christian University 19,600 USD 17%
University of Louisiana at Monroe 21,300 USD 10%
Southeastern Louisiana University 22,000 USD - 23,300 USD 7%
Grambling State University 24,400 USD - 24,600 USD -4%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 23,500 USD for universities in Louisiana.

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1. Southern University at New Orleans

The Southern University at New Orleans, or SUNO, is a 17-acre large university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1956, the school is considered as a Historically black college or university (HCBU) in the United States. Despite this, SUNO hosts more than just African-Americans but also students from all over the globe. The university has provided undergraduate and graduate level programs and top-notch student services for arts, sports, and recreation.

2. Nicholls State University

Nicholls State University is a public higher educational institution in Louisiana, United States, and was founded in 1948. It offers 60 degree programs to its 6760 students and houses over 85 student organizations as well as 700 student fraternities and sororities. Aside from the social and academic opportunities, the athletics department of the school is also highly competent, with 17 Division I athletic teams constantly trained and maintained. The school has several resources at hand to service its students, such as meal plans, bookstores, parking regulations, housing, counseling, and health services.

3. McNeese State University

Situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State University is a public higher education school that aims to transform the lives of students by providing first-rate education. It offers academic programs in traditional and modern learning approaches that can either be taught on-campus or online. Some of the areas of study currently offered at the university are social sciences, humanities, engineering, and natural sciences.

4. Southern University and A & M College

Southern University and A&M College is part of the Southern University System that provides top-quality higher education in the state of Louisiana. Although initially established to educate the black community in the region, it has since expanded and currently admits a diverse group of students regardless of ethnicity. Today, the university offers a broad spectrum of academic programs in the fields of nursing, engineering, and business, with several of its programs being top-rated and nationally recognized.

5. Louisiana State University of Alexandria

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) is a public college in Alexandria, Louisiana. It began as a two-year college in 1959, with Nursing as its first program. The university exclusively offers undergraduate programs in a variety of fields such as liberal arts and science. It also offers certificates and associate degrees in Nursing and Radiologic Technology.

6. University of New Orleans

University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public institution with the mission to provide higher education to students regardless of background. From its founding to the present, its goal of promoting inclusivity hasn’t faded. Moreover, besides offering top-rated programs, UNO is a nationally recognized institution in the US that continues to find ways to improve its education system.

7. Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University is a research university utilizing selective admissions for its programs. The university prioritizes the education and development of its students by offering quality education, and research while fostering public service and economic development. Located in Ruston, the university is surrounded by leisure places such as parks, lakes, and biking trails.

8. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a higher education institute with over six campuses all over the United States. Founded in 1884 and located in the city of Natchitoches in the state of Louisiana, the university houses 11,447 enrolled students as of Fall 2022. With a growing student population with a longstanding history of exemplary education, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a fine choice among the long list of competent universities in the United States for both local and international students.

9. Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University Shreveport’s mission is to educate a diverse population of graduate and undergraduate students by promoting critical thought. It innovates and fosters opportunities to enhance the application of knowledge and intellectual discovery through faculty and student research and creative endeavors. The university is committed to providing academic excellence and cultural enrichment.

10. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport

Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, or LSU Health Shreveport, is a higher education institution founded in 1965 and is currently located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Specializing in the field of health and medicine, undergraduate and graduate programs offered are divided into three schools which are the School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies.

11. Dillard University

Dillard University is a historic black private university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dillard University offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Nursing degrees in more than 35 majors and holds dual degree programs in several fields. The university is famous for its undergraduate research programs, especially in education and nursing, and among them, professional training programs are well-run systematically.

12. Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University, previously known as Louisiana College, is a private school founded in 1906 and located in Pineville, Louisiana. The school has Christian-centered values, beliefs, and traditions due to its affiliation with the Grand Cane Association of Baptist Churches. Its mission is to foster learning, lead, and serve students. Financial aid is also available to students such as the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and C. S. Lewis Honors Program.

13. University of Louisiana at Monroe

The University of Louisiana at Monroe opened in 1931 as Quachita Parish Junior College but was renamed to its present name ULM in 1999. ULM also offers many nationally accredited academic programs and shows high faculty salaries. To this date, the university remains a world-ranked university.

14. Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University is one of the leading academic institutions for higher education in the south. It has been given several recognitions, especially for its programs in law, criminology, and education. Students at this university receive hands-on education because of its 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

15. Grambling State University

Grambling State University is a black university in northern Louisiana, one of the nine universities in the University of Louisiana system. It offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certification programs through four universities, including two specialized schools and graduate schools. Grambling State University is committed to creating an environment in which students can grow and learn in a calm and positive environment by combining the major academic strengths of the university with those of a small university.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Louisiana for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Louisiana ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Centenary College of Louisiana 3,900 USD - 13,500 USD 71%
Loyola University New Orleans 5,340 USD - 18,900 USD 60%
Nicholls State University 5,597 USD - 9,943 USD 58%
Xavier University of Louisiana 6,552 USD - 45,000 USD 51%
Louisiana Tech University 7,638 USD - 11,500 USD 43%
Louisiana State University Shreveport 8,331 USD - 12,500 USD 38%
Southern University at New Orleans 9,378 USD 30%
McNeese State University 11,500 USD 14%
Southern University and A & M College 11,900 USD - 11,900 USD 11%
Southeastern Louisiana University 12,100 USD - 11,600 USD 10%
Grambling State University 12,300 USD 8%
Dillard University 12,300 USD 8%
Louisiana Christian University 12,400 USD - 17,000 USD 7%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana 13,400 USD -0%
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport 13,800 USD - 23,300 USD -4%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 13,300 USD for universities in Louisiana.

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1. Centenary College of Louisiana

The Centenary College of Louisiana is the oldest accredited liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university’s bachelor’s program includes English, French, Greek, Latin, logic, rhetoric, ancient and modern history, mathematics, natural, moral, and political philosophy courses. The Centenary College of Louisiana campus is about 65 acres, and the central Dr. Ed Leuck Academic Arboretum has more than 300 species of plants.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Centenary College of Louisiana should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 3,900 USD to 13,500 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. Loyola University New Orleans

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Loyola University New Orleans. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Loyola University New Orleans is 5,340 USD to 18,810 USD.

Loyola University New Orleans is a Roman Catholic academic institution founded by the Jesuits. Around 140+ programs are available for undergrad, grad, and professional students. Several of those programs are available on an online setup. The Times Higher Education ranking places Loyola at 401st in the US, while the US News puts it at 202nd.

3. Nicholls State University

Nicholls State University is a public higher educational institution in Louisiana, United States, and was founded in 1948. It offers 60 degree programs to its 6760 students and houses over 85 student organizations as well as 700 student fraternities and sororities. Aside from the social and academic opportunities, the athletics department of the school is also highly competent, with 17 Division I athletic teams constantly trained and maintained. The school has several resources at hand to service its students, such as meal plans, bookstores, parking regulations, housing, counseling, and health services.

The tuition fee at Nicholls State University for incoming international master’s students is 5,597 USD to 9,943 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Xavier University of Louisiana

Another affordable university to consider in Louisiana is Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Xavier University of Louisiana has a rich history of being the only historically black and Catholic academic institution and the only university founded by a saint. XULA was established by Katherine Drexel and the Blessed Sacrament sisters to mold future leaders for a more humane and just world. They do so by providing excellent education and diverse opportunities. The university’s placements among US university rankings: 383rd (Times Higher Education) and 301 (QS Top Universities) are a testament to their teaching.

The tuition fee in Xavier University of Louisiana for master’s program for foreign students starts from 6,552 USD.

5. Louisiana Tech University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Louisiana Tech University has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 7,638 USD yearly.

Louisiana Tech University is a research university utilizing selective admissions for its programs. The university prioritizes the education and development of its students by offering quality education, and research while fostering public service and economic development. Located in Ruston, the university is surrounded by leisure places such as parks, lakes, and biking trails.

6. Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University Shreveport’s mission is to educate a diverse population of graduate and undergraduate students by promoting critical thought. It innovates and fosters opportunities to enhance the application of knowledge and intellectual discovery through faculty and student research and creative endeavors. The university is committed to providing academic excellence and cultural enrichment.

7. Southern University at New Orleans

The Southern University at New Orleans, or SUNO, is a 17-acre large university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1956, the school is considered as a Historically black college or university (HCBU) in the United States. Despite this, SUNO hosts more than just African-Americans but also students from all over the globe. The university has provided undergraduate and graduate level programs and top-notch student services for arts, sports, and recreation.

8. McNeese State University

Situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State University is a public higher education school that aims to transform the lives of students by providing first-rate education. It offers academic programs in traditional and modern learning approaches that can either be taught on-campus or online. Some of the areas of study currently offered at the university are social sciences, humanities, engineering, and natural sciences.

9. Southern University and A & M College

Southern University and A&M College is part of the Southern University System that provides top-quality higher education in the state of Louisiana. Although initially established to educate the black community in the region, it has since expanded and currently admits a diverse group of students regardless of ethnicity. Today, the university offers a broad spectrum of academic programs in the fields of nursing, engineering, and business, with several of its programs being top-rated and nationally recognized.

10. Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University is one of the leading academic institutions for higher education in the south. It has been given several recognitions, especially for its programs in law, criminology, and education. Students at this university receive hands-on education because of its 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

11. Grambling State University

Grambling State University is a black university in northern Louisiana, one of the nine universities in the University of Louisiana system. It offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certification programs through four universities, including two specialized schools and graduate schools. Grambling State University is committed to creating an environment in which students can grow and learn in a calm and positive environment by combining the major academic strengths of the university with those of a small university.

12. Dillard University

Dillard University is a historic black private university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dillard University offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Nursing degrees in more than 35 majors and holds dual degree programs in several fields. The university is famous for its undergraduate research programs, especially in education and nursing, and among them, professional training programs are well-run systematically.

13. Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University, previously known as Louisiana College, is a private school founded in 1906 and located in Pineville, Louisiana. The school has Christian-centered values, beliefs, and traditions due to its affiliation with the Grand Cane Association of Baptist Churches. Its mission is to foster learning, lead, and serve students. Financial aid is also available to students such as the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and C. S. Lewis Honors Program.

14. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a higher education institute with over six campuses all over the United States. Founded in 1884 and located in the city of Natchitoches in the state of Louisiana, the university houses 11,447 enrolled students as of Fall 2022. With a growing student population with a longstanding history of exemplary education, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a fine choice among the long list of competent universities in the United States for both local and international students.

15. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport

Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, or LSU Health Shreveport, is a higher education institution founded in 1965 and is currently located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Specializing in the field of health and medicine, undergraduate and graduate programs offered are divided into three schools which are the School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Louisiana?

Applying to cheap universities in Louisiana requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United States for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Louisiana?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Louisiana. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Louisiana is the Dillard University, which offers Accounting, Computer Science, and Financial Economics to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Centenary College of Louisiana offers Teaching Elementary, Business Administration, and Teaching Secondary.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Louisiana, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Louisiana as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Louisiana for international students was helpful!