University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Louisiana at Lafayette at a Glance
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public research university in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States. It has the largest enrollment within the nine-campus University of Louisiana System and the second-largest enrollment in Louisiana, behind only Louisiana State University. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
1898
128 years old
$242M
$241.6 million (2025)
19,056
13,179 undergrad · 2,166 grad
776
145 acres
Identity
Is University of Louisiana at Lafayette Worth It?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers moderate value at $13,530/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,089, which is 12% 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 52% 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.
How University of Louisiana at Lafayette compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #55 of 117 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 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #55 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | 46 | $13,530 | $47,089 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Louisiana at Lafayette's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in LA.
Best Programs at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The highest-earning program at University of Louisiana at Lafayette is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earns $63,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,700. 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 $16,420 in median debt vs. $25,913 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,530/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 | $63,800 | $63,800 | $16,420 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,100 | $58,100 | $25,040 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $57,000 | $57,000 | $13,689 |
| Chemical Engineering | $56,600 | $56,600 | $23,650 |
| Computer Science | $54,100 | $54,100 | $27,765 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,100 | $50,100 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $46,900 | $46,900 | $27,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $46,200 | $46,200 | $25,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $40,900 | $40,900 | $23,737 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,400 | $38,400 | $19,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,300 | $38,300 | $23,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $35,500 | $35,500 | $25,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $34,400 | $34,400 | $25,834 |
| Marketing | $32,700 | $32,700 | $18,445 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $32,300 | $32,300 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,400 | $29,400 | $20,032 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,972 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,700 | $27,700 | $30,222 |
| Biology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $22,625 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,125 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,761 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $26,000 | $26,000 | $12,937 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25,900 | $25,900 | $28,300 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $23,900 | $23,900 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,900 | $23,900 | $22,833 |
| Psychology, General | $23,300 | $23,300 | $20,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $22,300 | $22,300 | $19,981 |
| Sociology | $22,200 | $22,200 | $28,213 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,100 | $22,100 | $18,344 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,700 | $18,700 | $25,913 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lafayette, LA
- Student Body
- 12,428 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,530
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,089
- Median Student Debt
- $22,902