The University is ranked in the top 50 best value among public universities in Forbes annual America’s Best Value Colleges rankings. The University is also ranked 88th out of 300 colleges on the list. 
“We are pleased to be recognized as one of the best values in the country by Forbes,” said LSU President F. King Alexander. “Universities should be measured by the ways they impact families – student debt, starting salaries, graduation rates, and financial aid support. These are the areas important to students when making a college choice, and at LSU, these are the areas we focus on to make sure students obtain an affordable and competitive college degree.”
In a press release, the University said Alexander has “long been a proponent of universities publicizing their outcome measures.” Forbes uses Payscale and College Scorecard to show results and return on investment for students attending four-year universities. 
In their 2017-18 College Salary Report, Payscale said the University ranks third in early career earnings, and ranks highest among Louisiana public colleges for both early career and mid-career earnings. 
Forbes ranked the University as the best value university in Louisiana.