New Orleans, LA · Private University
Is Tulane University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,268
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,538
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,538
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$262,152
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.96x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
88.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$43,939
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Tulane University of Louisiana graduates earn $18,268 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Tulane University of Louisiana ranked by graduate earnings
21 graduates
129 graduates
63 graduates
67 graduates
76 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Tulane University of Louisiana
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Tulane University of Louisiana, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $90,828) and the lowest (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication: $32,879) is $57,949/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $90,828 | 1.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $89,537 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $87,423 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $77,364 | 1.2x |
| Marketing | $69,685 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $62,479 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $61,560 | 0.9x |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $58,528 | 0.9x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $58,255 | 0.9x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $55,916 | 0.8x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $55,509 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $54,708 | 0.8x |
| Computer Programming | $54,243 | 0.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $53,386 | 0.8x |
| Philosophy | $53,219 | 0.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $51,792 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,355 | 0.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $50,723 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $48,355 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,826 | 0.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,757 | 0.6x |
| Anthropology | $36,468 | 0.6x |
| Social Sciences, General | $33,606 | 0.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationLowest(1yr data) | $32,879 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane University of Louisiana | 0.96x | $63,268 | Below Average |
| Emory University | 1.32x | $80,137 | Average ROI |
| University of Miami | 1.26x | $75,328 | Average ROI |
| Wake Forest University | 1.21x | $78,158 | Average ROI |
| Trinity University | 1.40x | $71,668 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Tulane University of Louisiana carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $63,268 10 years after starting — $18,268 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.