Analysis
Southeastern Louisiana's computer science graduates start at $58K and climb to $75K by year fourβsolid growth that shows employers value the degree, even if initial salaries trail the national median by nearly $13,000. The modest debt load of $22,824 means graduates owe less than 40% of their first-year earnings, which is manageable territory for a technical degree. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if these numbers represent typical outcomes or just a fortunate few who landed well.
Within Louisiana's CS landscape, this program sits right at the state median for earnings, but it's nowhere near the top tier. Tulane grads earn $91K out of the gate, and even Louisiana Tech and ULL graduates pull ahead with first-year salaries around $62-68K. For a family paying in-state tuition at Southeastern, the value equation might still workβespecially given the 94% admission rate and accessibility to Pell-eligible students. But if your child can gain admission to Louisiana Tech or ULL, those programs deliver meaningfully better starting salaries for roughly the same debt burden.
The small sample warning matters here. With fewer than 30 data points, one unusually high or low earner could skew the entire picture. If your child chooses this path, they should treat career services and internship hunting as non-negotiableβthe outcomes suggest that graduates need to hustle to compete with peers from stronger programs.
Where Southeastern Louisiana University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Southeastern Louisiana University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Louisiana University | $57,961 | $75,110 | +30% |
| University of New Orleans | $69,204 | $77,985 | +13% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | $62,452 | $74,787 | +20% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | $58,697 | $73,686 | +26% |
| 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)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,373 | $57,961 | $75,110 | $22,824 | 0.39 | |
| $65,538 | $90,828 | β | $19,000 | 0.21 | |
| $9,172 | $69,204 | $77,985 | $16,604 | 0.24 | |
| $10,125 | $68,023 | β | $22,875 | 0.34 | |
| $10,418 | $62,452 | $74,787 | $23,000 | 0.37 | |
| $9,190 | $60,714 | β | β | β | |
| National Median | β | $70,950 | β | $23,374 | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
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 Southeastern Louisiana University, approximately 33% 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 24 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.