Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,018
5th percentile
60th percentile in Louisiana
Median Debt
$17,500
25% below national median

Analysis

Louisiana Tech's finance program comes with an important caveat—the sample size is small enough that these numbers could shift significantly with more data. That said, the story they tell is intriguing: graduates start behind the curve at $42,000 but surge to nearly $63,000 by year four, representing 50% growth that outpaces typical finance trajectories.

What's particularly interesting is the state context. While this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among Louisiana schools—right at the state median. This suggests Louisiana Tech isn't underperforming; rather, Louisiana finance salaries generally lag the national market. The debt picture reinforces this value: at $17,500, graduates carry roughly $4,000 less than the state median and $6,000 less than national benchmarks, making the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable even in that slower first year.

The real question is geographic: if your child plans to stay in Louisiana, where this program performs solidly among state options, the modest debt load makes sense. If they're eyeing finance hubs like Charlotte or New York, starting $12,000 behind the national median matters more. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates do find their footing, but remember these numbers come from a small cohort—ask the department how many students actually complete this major and where recent grads have landed.

Where Louisiana Tech University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Louisiana Tech University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Louisiana Tech University$42,018$62,932+50%
Tulane University of Louisiana$77,806$89,537+15%
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College$54,408$71,935+32%
Southeastern Louisiana University$40,704$63,542+56%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette$40,495$46,582+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston$10,125$42,018$62,932$17,5000.42
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans$65,538$77,806$89,537$21,5000.28
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,954$54,408$71,935$19,5000.36
McNeese State UniversityLake Charles$8,460$49,216$42,641$27,8600.57
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond$8,373$40,704$63,542$15,4380.38
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$40,495$46,582$26,4000.65
National Median$53,590$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/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 Tech University, approximately 21% 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 29 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.