Analysis
The $54,647 in debt for this bachelor's in education is more than double the national median of $26,522—and identical to Louisiana's median, suggesting this debt burden is a statewide pattern rather than a school-specific issue. The challenge: even if graduates match the national median earnings estimate of $38,660, they'd face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.41, meaning they'd owe 40% more than they'd earn in their first year. For a profession that typically starts with modest but stable pay, this debt level demands careful consideration.
Teaching does offer some offsetting factors. Federal loan forgiveness programs can erase remaining balances after 10 years of qualifying public service payments, and Louisiana's starting teacher salaries have been climbing. However, relying on loan forgiveness means a decade of income-driven payments that may not even cover accruing interest. The immediate financial pressure of these payments could make Southern University at New Orleans graduates' early teaching years significantly more stressful than their peers who graduated with less debt.
Parents should press for specifics: What percentage of education graduates here actually secure teaching positions? Does the program help students access loan forgiveness? Are there scholarships that could meaningfully reduce this debt load? Without concrete answers about placement rates and debt reduction opportunities, this program asks families to bet heavily on both job placement and policy programs that may or may not work as planned.
Where Southern University at New Orleans Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Education bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans | $7,490 | $38,660* | — | $54,647 | — |
 Bellevue UniversityBellevue | $8,886 | $68,730* | — | $26,556 | 0.39 |
 University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu | $12,186 | $60,288* | — | — | — |
 The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington | $11,728 | $57,410* | — | $13,250 | 0.23 |
 Goddard CollegePlainfield | $19,568 | $56,397* | $40,429 | — | — |
 Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch | $44,850 | $55,579* | $54,660 | $27,000 | 0.49 |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522 | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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 Southern University at New Orleans, approximately 45% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 66 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.