Top 3 Data Science Programs in Louisiana 2025
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
147 data science graduates annually, 66% graduation rate
Southern University and A & M College
82 data science graduates annually, 75% graduation rate
Tulane University of Louisiana
52 data science graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Louisiana offers 16+ accredited data science programs across public and private universities
- 2.Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with 66% graduation rate
- 3.Louisiana software developers earn median $88,760 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport
- 5.Cost of living index: 93.8% of US average (below average)
Data Science Education in Louisiana: Overview
Louisiana offers 16 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 620 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, with major employers including CenturyLink, Geocent, iSeatz.
With a median software developer salary of $88,760 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 93.8% compared to the US average, Louisiana offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top data science programs in the state are led by Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Southern University and A & M College, Tulane University of Louisiana, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Louisiana Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $8,038 | 66% | 72.2 |
| 2 | Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $4,973 | 75% | 70.5 |
| 3 | Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Private | $61,306 | — | 65.6 |
| 4 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | Public | $5,407 | 98% | 65 |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | Public | $6,401 | 85% | 63.2 |
| 6 | Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | Public | $5,140 | 99% | 61.3 |
| 7 | University of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Public | $6,090 | — | 57.3 |
| 8 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | Public | $5,147 | — | 47.7 |
| 9 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | Public | $5,788 | — | 43.2 |
| 10 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | Public | $5,656 | — | 43.1 |
| 11 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | Public | $5,777 | — | 42.5 |
| 12 | Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | Public | $2,618 | — | 39.7 |
| 13 | Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Private | $24,836 | — | 39.5 |
| 14 | Louisiana Christian University | Pineville, LA | Private | $19,590 | — | 32 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $3,237 | — | 31 |
| 16 | Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | Public | $3,214 | — | 27.8 |
Top 5 Data Science Programs in Louisiana: Side-by-Side
| School | Louisiana State Universit... | Southern University and... | Tulane University of... | U of Louisiana at Lafayette | Louisiana Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,038 | $4,973 | $61,306 | $5,407 | $6,401 |
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 75% | N/A% | 98% | 85% |
| Annual Graduates | 147 | 82 | 52 | 64 | 55 |
| Acceptance Rate | 74% | 50% | 15% | 89% | 73% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 72.2/100 | 70.5/100 | 65.6/100 | 65.0/100 | 63.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Louisiana
Louisiana offers 13 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Tulane University of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $62,132 in the Louisiana market.
A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Louisiana State Universit... | $8,038 | 66% | 147 | 72.2 |
| #2 Tulane University of... | $61,306 | N/A% | 52 | 65.6 |
| #3 U of Louisiana at Lafayette | $5,407 | 98% | 64 | 65.0 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Louisiana
For graduate study, Louisiana offers 6 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include Southern University and A & M College, Louisiana Tech University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Louisiana reaching $115,388 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best data science master's programs for more options beyond Louisiana.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Louisiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Southern University and... | $4,973 | 75% | 82 | 70.5 |
| #2 Louisiana Tech | $6,401 | 85% | 21 | 54.8 |
| #3 U of Louisiana at Lafayette | $5,407 | 98% | 15 | 52.3 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Louisiana
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in Louisiana are at Southern University at Shreveport ($2,618/year), Louisiana Delta Community College ($3,214/year), Baton Rouge Community College ($3,237/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Louisiana's competitive tech salaries.
At Southern University at Shreveport, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,472 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $62,132, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Data Science Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Louisiana (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Southern University at... | $2,618 | $10,472 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 Louisiana Delta Community... | $3,214 | $12,856 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 Baton Rouge Community... | $3,237 | $12,948 | 0.5 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Data Science Schools in Louisiana
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science programs in Louisiana, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,038 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 66% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 147 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 74%
- • Ranking Score: 72.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 66% graduation rate
- 147 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 72.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (66%), program size (147 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (74% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,973 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 75% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 50%
- • Ranking Score: 70.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 82 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 70.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (82 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (50% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $61,306 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 52 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 15%
- • Ranking Score: 65.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 52 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 65.6 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (52 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (15% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,407 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 64 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 89%
- • Ranking Score: 65.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 64 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 65.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (64 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (89% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,401 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 85% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 55 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 73%
- • Ranking Score: 63.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 85% graduation rate
- 55 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 63.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (85%), program size (55 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (73% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Data Analyst opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Business Intelligence Analyst opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-2051Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Quantitative Analyst
SOC 15-2051Quantitative Analyst opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport
- You're seeking lower cost of living (93.8% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like CenturyLink or Geocent
- You prefer Louisiana's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Louisiana's 16)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Data Science in Louisiana FAQ
Based on 16 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Louisiana-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Louisiana salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.