Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana's communication disorders program shows striking earnings growth, but that first year looks tough. Graduates earn just $26,032 initially—barely above the national median of $24,702—but within four years that jumps to $44,706. That 72% increase suggests many graduates pursue additional credentials or work their way up in clinical settings, a common pattern for students eyeing graduate school in speech-language pathology.

The debt picture is actually better than it appears. At $24,542, it's above the national median, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary—manageable compared to many healthcare-adjacent fields. Among Louisiana programs, this ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack (60th percentile), performing on par with flagship schools like Southern and LSU in this specialty.

One important caveat: the sample size here is small, so individual circumstances can skew the numbers significantly. If your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level and work immediately, that $26,000 starting salary will feel tight. But for students treating this as a stepping stone to graduate programs in speech pathology or audiology—where earnings potential jumps substantially—the reasonable debt load and strong earnings trajectory make this a viable foundation. The key question is whether your child intends to pursue the master's degree that unlocks the field's real earning power.