International Business at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU's International Business program shows promising earnings growth but performs below the Louisiana median—notably trailing Tulane's $55,509 first-year earnings by about $5,600. With only three schools offering this major in Louisiana, the 40th percentile state ranking is more meaningful than it might seem: you're essentially looking at last place among the state's limited options. The $77,958 earnings four years out represent strong growth, but graduates need to clear that initial lower-earning period first.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $18,000, graduates owe about 25% less than both the state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross earnings—a comfortable margin that reduces financial stress during those early career years.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could differ substantially. If they're set on international business in Louisiana and prefer LSU's flagship environment over Tulane's smaller, pricier setting, the lower debt load makes this workable. But if maximizing initial earning power matters most, the data suggests looking at Tulane or considering whether LSU's general business programs might offer better outcomes.