Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Southern University and A & M College

Similar electrical engineering programs in Louisiana produce graduates earning around $77,000 in their first year—solid numbers that align closely with the national median for this field. With estimated debt of $24,000, the ratio of 0.31 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly four months of their first-year salary to debt, a manageable burden that compares favorably to many engineering programs nationwide.

What's encouraging is how Southern's estimated outcomes track with Louisiana's flagship programs. LSU grads earn $77,238, UNO graduates make $78,215, and UL Lafayette produces $76,191—all clustering tightly around the state median that serves as the basis for Southern's estimates. This suggests the Louisiana engineering job market values the degree itself more than the specific institution, which works in favor of students attending Southern at what's likely a lower overall cost of attendance.

The real question is whether Southern can deliver the same educational quality as these peer institutions. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants and an average SAT of 938, Southern serves a different student population than some competitors. If the program provides strong technical training and internship connections to Louisiana's petrochemical and energy industries, the estimated outcomes suggest it could be a worthwhile investment. But given the uncertainty inherent in these estimates, talk to recent graduates directly about their job placement experience before committing.