Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU's communication disorders program shows an unusual earnings pattern that warrants careful scrutiny, though the small sample size makes definitive conclusions difficult. First-year graduates earn just $18,575—below both the Louisiana median ($25,281) and national average ($24,702), landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. That initial figure is concerning: it's barely above minimum wage and lower than many positions requiring no degree at all.

The dramatic reversal by year four changes the calculus considerably. Earnings jump to $55,402, more than doubling both state and national benchmarks. This explosive growth (198%) suggests graduates may be pursuing additional credentials or clinical certifications that unlock higher-paying positions, a common path in speech-language pathology fields. The relatively manageable debt load of $20,500—lower than both state and national medians—helps, but parents should understand that first year may require substantial financial support.

The critical question is whether your student plans to continue into graduate school, as many communication disorders undergrads do to become licensed speech-language pathologists. If so, this becomes a stepping stone whose true value depends on the next degree. If they're planning to enter the workforce immediately with just a bachelor's, those first-year numbers represent the likely reality. Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), consider reaching out to the department directly about typical career paths and what drives that fourth-year earnings surge.