Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

While University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Liberal Arts program falls short of national expectations, it performs reasonably within Louisiana's context. Graduates earn $31,419 in their first year—about $5,000 below the national median but close to Louisiana's typical outcomes for this field. Among the state's 19 programs, ULL ranks right at the middle (40th percentile), though several other Louisiana universities consistently produce higher-earning graduates.

The financial picture is manageable but not compelling. With $27,000 in median debt against first-year earnings of $31,419, graduates face a debt-to-income ratio of 0.86—reasonable by today's standards but requiring careful budgeting. Earnings do grow to $35,108 by year four, a 12% increase that helps improve the long-term outlook.

For an anxious parent, this program represents a safe but unremarkable choice. Your child won't be drowning in debt, but they also won't have the earning power that justifies the investment compared to stronger programs within Louisiana. If your student is set on liberal arts, consider whether the other state universities offering notably better outcomes might be worth exploring, or whether this degree serves as a stepping stone to graduate school where the real career preparation happens.