Engineering Technology at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana's Engineering Technology program tells two different stories depending on your frame of reference. Nationally, it lands in the 32nd percentile for earnings—below the $60,529 median. But zoom in to Louisiana, where it ranks in the 60th percentile, and it becomes the highest earner among the state's three Engineering Technology programs. For families prioritizing in-state tuition and staying close to home, this represents the best option in Louisiana.

The debt picture is genuinely strong. At $27,732, graduates carry nearly $10,000 less than the typical Louisiana Engineering Technology student, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 is manageable. The 40% earnings jump from $54,464 to $76,222 over four years suggests graduates find solid industrial footing, likely in Louisiana's petrochemical, manufacturing, or infrastructure sectors.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one exceptional outcome could skew everything. For a Louisiana family whose child has a genuine interest in hands-on engineering work, this program offers reasonable debt and the best in-state earnings trajectory. Just understand you're choosing regional opportunity over the higher national earnings you'd find at top Engineering Technology programs elsewhere.