Computer Science at Southern University and A & M College

Southern University's Computer Science program produces graduates earning $45,907 in their first year—about $15,000 below Louisiana's state median and nearly $25,000 below the national median for CS degrees. Even among Louisiana's 15 computer science programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, trailing not only Tulane but also regional competitors like Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette by $16,000-$22,000. Nationally, it sits in the bottom 5% of all CS programs.

The debt picture compounds the concern. At $30,250, graduates carry more debt than 95% of CS programs nationally and significantly more than Louisiana's typical CS debt of $22,850. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 means students face about eight months of gross income in debt, manageable in absolute terms but troubling given how far earnings lag behind peers. A student at Louisiana Tech, for instance, would earn over $20,000 more annually while carrying less debt.

For families weighing this program, the math is straightforward: this degree costs more and pays less than comparable options within Louisiana's public university system. The 65% Pell Grant population suggests many students here face significant financial constraints, making the earnings gap particularly consequential. If your child can gain admission to Louisiana Tech, UL Lafayette, or even UL Monroe, those programs deliver substantially better financial outcomes. Southern University serves an important mission, but families should understand they're likely accepting a significant earnings penalty relative to other in-state computer science options.