Location: Baton Rouge, LA•In-State Tuition: $11,954•Out-of-State Tuition: $28,631•Admission Rate: 74%•Avg SAT: 1248
Median Earnings (1yr)
$58,697
22nd percentile
40th percentile in Louisiana
Median Debt
$21,562
8% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.37 ManageableSample: 120 graduates

Analysis

LSU's computer science graduates start below the national median at $59K but see strong 26% earnings growth to reach $74K by year four—a trajectory that helps offset the lower starting point. While first-year earnings land in just the 22nd percentile nationally, the program performs closer to Louisiana's median ($60K) and sits in the middle of the pack among state CS programs. The debt load of $21,562 is reasonable, translating to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should handle comfortably.

The gap between LSU and Louisiana's top programs is notable: Tulane CS grads earn $90K while Louisiana Tech and UNO both surpass LSU by $10-15K in starting salary. For in-state students paying significantly less tuition at LSU versus private Tulane, this difference matters less. But families should recognize that other public Louisiana schools are producing stronger early-career outcomes in computer science.

The value proposition here depends heavily on net cost. If your student is paying in-state rates at LSU, the solid earnings growth and modest debt make this workable—you're looking at a CS degree that launches careers even if it doesn't match elite program outcomes. But if comparable financial aid makes Louisiana Tech or ULL cost-competitive, those programs deliver better starting salaries without materially different debt burdens.

Where Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeOther computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College earns $59k — 22th percentile among computer science bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College$58,697$73,686+26%
University of New Orleans$69,204$77,985+13%
Southeastern Louisiana University$57,961$75,110+30%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette$62,452$74,787+20%
Louisiana State University-Shreveport$60,259$67,383+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,954$58,697$73,686$21,5620.37
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans$65,538$90,828—$19,0000.21
University of New OrleansNew Orleans$9,172$69,204$77,985$16,6040.24
Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston$10,125$68,023—$22,8750.34
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$62,452$74,787$23,0000.37
University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe$9,190$60,714———
National Median—$70,950—$23,3740.33

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 120 graduates with reported earnings and 106 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.