Mathematics at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU's Mathematics program starts below the national median—at $44,136, graduates earn about $4,600 less than the typical math major nationally. But among Louisiana's 21 math programs, these earnings land right at the state median, meaning LSU performs about average for in-state options. The low debt load of $15,000 (well below the national median of $21,500) helps offset the modest starting salary, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.34—comfortable by any standard.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates see 27% income growth by year four, reaching $56,090. That positions LSU's program competitively with higher-ranked schools nationally, even if it trails Tulane's outcomes by a significant margin. For Louisiana families, this represents solid value—you're getting reasonable debt and respectable earnings growth at an accessible state flagship.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary substantially. Still, for parents weighing in-state options, LSU delivers what you'd expect from a large public university—middle-of-the-pack earnings with notably lower debt than most alternatives.