Location: Hammond, LA•In-State Tuition: $8,373•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,851•Admission Rate: 94%•Avg SAT: 1090
Median Earnings (1yr)
$54,464
32nd percentile
Median Debt
$27,732
5% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.51 ManageableSample: 22 graduates Limited data

Analysis

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.

Where Southeastern Louisiana University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology bachelors's programs nationally

Southeastern Louisiana UniversityOther engineering technology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Southeastern Louisiana University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Southeastern Louisiana University earns $54k — 32th percentile among engineering technology bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Southeastern Louisiana University$54,464$76,222+40%
Drexel University$66,431$87,840+32%
Miami University-Oxford$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Hamilton$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Middletown$69,483$81,683+18%

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond$8,373$54,464$76,222$27,7320.51
Grambling State UniversityGrambling$7,683$40,864—$44,6251.09
National Median—$60,529—$26,3250.43

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.