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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Louisiana
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Louisiana? This list ranks 113 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Louisiana
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
South Louisiana Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Louisiana. Based in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,210. Graduates carry a median of $12,435 in student loans. Median earnings reach $31,432 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,435 median debt. See the full South Louisiana Community College profile
You'll get strong value at Bossier Parish Community College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Bossier City, LA, Bossier Parish Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. Graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,502 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,593 median debt. Read the full report on Bossier Parish Community College
Out of the 20 schools in Louisiana in this year's value ranking, L E Fletcher Technical Community College landed the #3 spot. Set in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,219. Students borrow a median of $5,396 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $32,189 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full L E Fletcher Technical Community College report
Out of the 20 schools in Louisiana in this year's value ranking, Louisiana State University Eunice landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Eunice, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,802, with out-of-state students paying around $10,166. Students borrow a median of $16,239 to complete their Trade program here. Louisiana State University Eunice alumni report median earnings of $36,498 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,239 median debt. See the full Louisiana State University Eunice profile
Out of the 20 schools in Louisiana in this year's value ranking, Northshore Technical Community College landed the #5 spot. Northshore Technical Community College is a public school based in Lacombe, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,299. Graduates carry a median of $14,815 in student loans. Median earnings reach $29,734 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,815 median debt. More on Northshore Technical Community College
Baton Rouge Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,321. Typical Trade student debt is $17,624. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,581. Set against $17,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Baton Rouge Community College profile
Nunez Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Nunez Community College is a public school based in Chalmette, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,255. Nunez Community College Trade students take on a median of $21,296 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,343. Set against $21,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Nunez Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Louisiana Delta Community College is a public school based in Monroe, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,159. Louisiana Delta Community College Trade students take on a median of $14,024 in debt. Louisiana Delta Community College alumni report median earnings of $30,438 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,024 median debt. Read the full report on Louisiana Delta Community College
Southern University At Shreveport landed the #9 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Based in Shreveport, LA, Southern University At Shreveport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,958. Typical Trade student debt is $22,135. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Southern University At Shreveport
Delgado Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Delgado Community College is a public school based in New Orleans, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. The median Trade program debt is $25,283. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,305. That is a strong return on a $25,283 median debt. More on Delgado Community College
Louisiana State University Alexandria offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Alexandria, LA, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Louisiana State University Alexandria Trade students take on a median of $24,656 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%. See the full Louisiana State University Alexandria profile
Nicholls State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Thibodaux, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,454. Set against $24,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants. See the full Nicholls State University profile
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #13 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Based in Monroe, LA, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical Trade student debt is $22,465. University Of Louisiana Monroe alumni report median earnings of $46,769 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants. More on University Of Louisiana Monroe
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Graduates carry a median of $28,061 in student loans. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana alumni report median earnings of $47,021 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,061 median debt. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full Northwestern State University Of Louisiana profile
Herzing University Kenner placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Set in Metairie, LA, Herzing University Kenner is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Typical Trade student debt is $33,897. Median earnings reach $36,909 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Kenner has an acceptance rate of 92%. Get the full Herzing University Kenner report
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #16 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $47,089 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants. More on University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hammond, LA, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Trade program here. Southeastern Louisiana University alumni report median earnings of $46,482 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants. See the full Southeastern Louisiana University profile
Louisiana Tech University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete their Trade program here. Louisiana Tech University alumni report median earnings of $52,279 a decade after entry. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Louisiana Tech University
Remington College Lafayette Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Lafayette, LA, Remington College Lafayette Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,312. Graduates carry a median of $16,229 in student loans. Remington College Lafayette Campus alumni report median earnings of $31,349 a decade after entry. Set against $16,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Remington College Lafayette Campus
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in New Orleans, LA, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,576 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $43,500. Median earnings reach $49,316 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College has an acceptance rate of 74%. More on Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design landed the #21 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read more about Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design
Iti Technical College placed #22 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Read the full report on Iti Technical College
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #23 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read more about Loyola University New Orleans
Healthcare Training Institute Kenner came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. More on Healthcare Training Institute Kenner
John Jay Beauty College Kenner came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full John Jay Beauty College Kenner report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Louisiana
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Blalocks Professional Beauty College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Blalocks Professional Beauty College profile
Delta College Slidell Campus placed #28 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. See the full Delta College Slidell Campus profile
My Les Beauty College Gretna placed #29 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. More on My Les Beauty College Gretna
Nationsuniversity offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Nationsuniversity
Cloyds Barber School 2 Inc landed the #31 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read the full report on Cloyds Barber School 2 Inc
Vanguard College Of Cosmetology Baton Rouge ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Vanguard College Of Cosmetology Baton Rouge
Blue Cliff College Metairie offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Blue Cliff College Metairie profile
Southern University And A And M College placed #34 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Get the full Southern University And A And M College report
Diesel Driving Academy Shreveport placed #35 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. See the full Diesel Driving Academy Shreveport profile
Louisiana College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Louisiana College
Moore Career College landed the #37 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read the full report on Moore Career College
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary report
Crescent City Bartending School landed the #39 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read the full report on Crescent City Bartending School
Guys Shreveport Academy Of Cosmetology Inc offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on Guys Shreveport Academy Of Cosmetology Inc
Medical Training College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Medical Training College profile
Saint Joseph Seminary College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Saint Joseph Seminary College profile
Celebrity Stylist Beauty School came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on Celebrity Stylist Beauty School
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans report
Compass Career College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Compass Career College
Petra College
Petra College placed #46 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. See the full Petra College profile
Digital Media Institute At Intertech landed the #47 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Read the full report on Digital Media Institute At Intertech
Louisiana Academy Of Beauty placed #48 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Get the full Louisiana Academy Of Beauty report
Mcneese State University landed the #49 spot for value in Louisiana this year. See the full Mcneese State University profile
Omega Institute Of Cosmetology placed #50 among the best-value Trade schools in Louisiana. Get the full Omega Institute Of Cosmetology report
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 113 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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