Computer and Information Sciences at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

UL Lafayette's Computer Science graduates start behind their Louisiana peers—earning $40,583 in year one compared to the state median of $48,184—but the program demonstrates strong momentum with 42% earnings growth by year four. At $57,417, four-year earnings still trail competitors like Southeastern Louisiana ($55,786), though the gap narrows considerably. More concerning is the national picture: this program ranks in just the 5th percentile for Computer Science programs nationwide, where the typical graduate earns $61,322 their first year.

The $25,945 debt load sits close to state and national medians, making the debt-to-earnings ratio (0.64) manageable compared to many programs, and graduates do show consistent income growth. However, Louisiana families should understand they're accepting significantly lower starting salaries than Computer Science typically delivers—the program produces earnings closer to what you'd expect from business or education degrees rather than tech roles. The state percentile ranking of 25th confirms this isn't just about Louisiana's cost of living; even within the state, this program underperforms.

For families prioritizing immediate tech-sector earnings or competitive career positioning, this represents a weak value proposition. The program may work for students planning to stay in Louisiana's smaller tech market or those combining the degree with other advantages, but anyone with stronger CS options in-state or nationally should pursue them.