Computer Science at Southern University Law Center

A computer science bachelor's degree with first-year earnings of $45,907 sits well below what most Louisiana CS programs deliver. Based on limited graduate data, this program lands at the bottom of the state's range—Louisiana's median CS grad earns $60,486, and top programs like Tulane ($90,828) and UL Lafayette ($62,452) suggest the typical in-state outcome is substantially higher. Nationally, this program falls in the 5th percentile, meaning 95% of computer science programs produce better first-year results.

The estimated debt of $22,875—derived from similar Louisiana programs at comparable institutions—aligns with both state and national norms for CS degrees. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, the debt itself isn't unusual. The concern is the earnings side: your child would be entering a high-demand field at roughly two-thirds the salary their Louisiana peers command. That $15,000-$25,000 annual gap compared to other in-state options compounds quickly over a career.

The fundamentals matter here: if your child can access a more established Louisiana CS program—even with slightly higher costs—the earnings premium likely justifies it. Computer science credentials typically open strong career paths, but this specific program's outcomes suggest either placement challenges or a graduate pipeline that isn't connecting with Louisiana's tech employers. Before committing, understand why this program's results diverge so sharply from state norms and whether that gap reflects temporary data limitations or a persistent pattern.