Analysis
Louisiana's business economics programs show wide variation in outcomes, and without specific data from UL Lafayette, prospective students are navigating with estimates drawn from the national picture. Nationwide, graduates in this major typically start around $53,000—a reasonable baseline for business careers—though within Louisiana itself, the median sits considerably lower at $42,500. Louisiana State's reported figure matches that state median, suggesting UL Lafayette could reasonably fall anywhere in that range depending on the specific strengths of its program and local employer connections.
The estimated debt of $21,000 translates to a manageable 0.40 ratio against those projected earnings, considerably better than many undergraduate business programs. That's debt you could realistically pay down within a few years if earnings track near the estimates. However, the reality check here is that business economics outcomes depend heavily on what students do with the degree—whether they pursue corporate finance roles, consulting positions, or general management tracks—and those paths produce vastly different salary trajectories.
Given the uncertainty around this specific program's placement record and the state's below-national earnings for business economics generally, your strongest move is requesting concrete employment outcomes directly from UL Lafayette's career services. Where do their recent graduates actually land? What companies recruit on campus? Without that program-specific information, you're essentially betting on whether this school's graduates beat the Louisiana average or fall short of it—a consequential difference of potentially $10,000 or more in starting salary.
Where University of Louisiana at Lafayette Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (8 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,418 | $53,219* | — | $21,125* | — | |
| $11,954 | $42,491* | — | $22,374* | 0.53 | |
| National Median | — | $53,219* | — | $22,250* | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette, approximately 39% 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 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.