Civil Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

UL Lafayette's civil engineering program delivers strong value through a combination of solid starting salaries and remarkably low debt. Graduates begin at $69,177—well above the Louisiana median of $63,494 and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. More impressively, the $27,500 median debt falls in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of civil engineering programs leave students with more debt. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, making loan payments highly manageable on an engineer's salary.

The main limitation is modest earnings growth—just 3% from year one to year four—which explains why this program sits near the national median rather than at the top. Still, when you're starting at nearly $70,000 with minimal debt, slower growth matters less than it would for a program with weaker fundamentals. Among Louisiana's six civil engineering programs, only LSU's graduates earn more in the first year, and the debt advantage here is substantial.

For parents weighing in-state options, this represents one of the stronger engineering values in Louisiana. Your child enters a solid profession without the debt burden that often accompanies engineering degrees elsewhere. The career ceiling may not be as high as top-tier programs, but the floor is secure and affordable.