Construction Management at Baton Rouge Community College

With just three construction management programs in Louisiana, Baton Rouge Community College ranks last in graduate earnings—and the gap is substantial. While the state median sits at $50,000 and ITI Technical College graduates earn nearly $60,000, BRCC graduates start at $40,032. That's $10,000 below the state median and almost $13,000 below national benchmarks. Nationally, this program ranks in just the 5th percentile, meaning 95% of similar programs produce better-earning graduates.

The silver lining here is debt: at $12,008, graduates owe significantly less than both state and national averages, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30. This low debt load matters, especially for the 57% of students receiving Pell grants. Students can realistically pay off their loans within two years if they're disciplined, even with below-average starting salaries.

The core question for parents is whether saving on tuition justifies the earnings penalty. Over a career, that $10,000-$20,000 annual shortfall adds up quickly. If your child can access ITI Technical College or another stronger program without dramatically increasing debt, that's likely the better path. BRCC keeps debt manageable, but the earnings data suggests this program isn't preparing graduates as effectively as its in-state competitors.