Chemical Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Louisiana-Lafayette's chemical engineering program produces graduates earning $63,886 in their first year—about $11,000 below the state median and nearly $10,000 below the national benchmark. While this places the program in just the 17th percentile nationally, it performs closer to the middle of the pack among Louisiana's five chemical engineering programs (40th percentile). For context, Louisiana Tech graduates start about $15,000 higher, suggesting meaningful variation even within the state. The $22,000 debt load is reasonable and slightly below Louisiana's median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34.

The silver lining is solid earnings growth: graduates see a 23% increase to $78,642 by year four, which brings them much closer to competitive levels. This suggests the program may open doors to career advancement even if initial placements lag behind peers. For families considering the accessible 89% admission rate and reasonable debt burden, this becomes a calculation about whether starting behind is worth the lower barrier to entry.

The practical takeaway: This program offers an attainable path into chemical engineering without crushing debt, but students should expect to work harder early in their careers to reach salary levels that peers from Louisiana Tech or LSU may access more quickly. It's not a standout value, but for students prioritizing admission accessibility and debt management, it provides a functional route into the field.