History at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

UL Lafayette's history program shows a stark disconnect between its first-year and four-year earnings outcomes. While the initial $21,750 is alarmingly low—placing it in the bottom 10% of Louisiana history programs and bottom 5% nationally—graduates see substantial income growth over time. By year four, earnings reach $37,425, which actually exceeds both the state median ($31,798) and national benchmark ($31,220). That 72% earnings jump is significant, though it's worth asking why the starting point is so far below peers at LSU ($32,999) and Southeastern Louisiana ($31,798).

The program's one clear advantage is manageable debt. At $14,500, graduates borrow roughly 40% less than the typical Louisiana history major and substantially less than the national median of $24,000. This creates breathing room during those lean early years when graduates are earning less than $22,000. However, the extremely small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers unreliable—a few outliers could dramatically shift the picture in either direction.

For families considering this program, the critical question is whether their student can weather that difficult first year financially. If they have family support or can secure employment with strong advancement potential, the trajectory looks reasonable. But the rock-bottom starting salary combined with uncertain data quality makes this a higher-risk choice than history programs at Louisiana's other public universities.