University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Louisiana at Monroe at a Glance
The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a public university in Monroe, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the University of Louisiana System. It is made up of four colleges: the College of Business and Social Sciences; College of Pharmacy; College of Arts, Education and Sciences; and College of Health Sciences. ULM enrolled 8,678 students in fall 2025, including 1,680 graduate students.
1931
95 years old
8,678
6,772 undergrad · 1,906 grad
238 acres
Identity
Is University of Louisiana at Monroe Worth It?
University of Louisiana at Monroe offers moderate value at $13,466/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $46,769, which is 13% 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 1.2 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 Monroe compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in LA
Ranked #60 of 182 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #60 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | 45 | $13,466 | $46,769 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Louisiana at Monroe's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in LA.
Best Programs at University of Louisiana at Monroe
The highest-earning program at University of Louisiana at Monroe is Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration at $116,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration graduate from University of Louisiana at Monroe earns $116,600, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,000. 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: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration graduates carry $11,197 in median debt vs. $20,500 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,466/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $116,600 | $116,600 | $11,197 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,000 | $60,000 | $22,292 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $57,700 | $57,700 | $13,913 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $46,500 | $46,500 | $19,150 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,000 | $41,000 | $18,612 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,800 | $38,800 | $21,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,815 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,200 | $36,200 | $25,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $31,100 | $31,100 | $23,551 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,000 | $28,000 | $17,748 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,366 |
| Psychology, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $24,062 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,000 | $22,000 | $20,500 |
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Monroe, LA
- Student Body
- 5,022 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,466
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,769
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500