Educational Attainment
Louisiana's educational attainment lags the nation, with 25.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, among the lowest shares in the U.S.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502LA).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree+ (%) | 25.4 | 35 |
Schools
Louisiana operates roughly 1,350 public K-12 schools statewide, serving a diverse student population across 64 parishes.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Universities
Louisiana is home to Louisiana State University (LSU), Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation's only historically Black Catholic university.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
- •Xavier University of Louisiana is the only historically Black, Catholic university in the U.S.
Graduation Rates
Louisiana's high school graduation rate is about 84%, below the national average of 87%.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 84 | 87 |
Student Enrollment
Louisiana enrolls about 700,000 K-12 public school students statewide, with New Orleans notable for its majority all-charter school district.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
- •New Orleans became the first major U.S. city with an all-charter public school system.
Student-Teacher Ratios
Louisiana's student-teacher ratio is about 14.5:1, close to the national average.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 14.5 | 15.4 |