Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern University at Shreveport

With earnings of just $17,392 in the first year—ranking in the 10th percentile among Louisiana's 21 liberal arts associate programs—Southern University at Shreveport graduates face a difficult financial start. That figure is $10,000 below the state median and nearly half what top performers like McNeese State achieve. The debt load of $21,880 compounds the problem, exceeding the national median by double and creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that would take over a year of gross income to repay. Even the impressive 60% earnings growth to $27,745 by year four only brings graduates to the state average—where most programs start.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly, but the pattern is concerning for a program serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body. Students borrowing close to $22,000 for credentials that initially earn minimum-wage-level income are betting heavily on that four-year earnings rebound materializing.

For families considering this path: community colleges like Baton Rouge or Bossier Parish deliver similar four-year outcomes with lower debt burdens, or consider whether starting at a different Louisiana institution might avoid the steep initial earning penalty. If Southern-Shreveport is the right fit for other reasons, minimizing borrowing becomes essential given how long graduates spend earning well below state norms.