Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southeastern Louisiana University at a Glance
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) is a public university in Hammond, Louisiana. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims as Hammond Junior College. Sims succeeded in getting the campus moved to north Hammond in 1928, when it became known as Southeastern Louisiana College. It achieved university status in 1970.
1925
101 years old
$23M
$22.6 million (2021)
14,298
13,331 undergrad · 967 grad
501
Identity
Is Southeastern Louisiana University Worth It?
Southeastern Louisiana University offers moderate value at $13,154/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $46,482, which is 14% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Southeastern Louisiana University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in LA
Ranked #79 of 143 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #79 | Southeastern Louisiana University | 40 | $13,154 | $46,482 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Southeastern Louisiana University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in LA.
Best Programs at Southeastern Louisiana University
The highest-earning program at Southeastern Louisiana University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University earns $59,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,672 in median debt vs. $19,666 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,154/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,800 | $59,800 | $17,672 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $54,400 | $54,400 | $20,300 |
| Computer Science | $53,400 | $53,400 | $19,320 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $52,600 | $52,600 | $21,239 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $47,500 | $47,500 | $19,793 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,200 | $42,200 | $23,030 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,100 | $39,100 | $24,471 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,300 | $36,300 | $24,055 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $35,300 | $35,300 | $24,239 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,800 | $33,800 | $21,500 |
| Music | $30,900 | $30,900 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,492 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,600 | $29,600 | $24,559 |
| Marketing | $29,600 | $29,600 | $20,623 |
| Social Work | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,701 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,051 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $24,524 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,700 | $26,700 | $19,688 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,200 | $26,200 | $21,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $19,875 |
| History | $25,500 | $25,500 | $25,892 |
| Psychology, General | $22,300 | $22,300 | $21,899 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,500 | $21,500 | $19,666 |
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Hammond, LA
- Student Body
- 9,514 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,154
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,482
- Median Student Debt
- $22,113