Civil Engineering at University of New Orleans

University of New Orleans produces civil engineering graduates who earn a solid $65,119 straight out of college—beating the state median by nearly $2,000 and placing in the 60th percentile among Louisiana programs. That's meaningful for families comparing in-state options, especially since UNO charges about $6,250 less in debt than the typical Louisiana engineering program. The 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, with graduates earning three times what they owe.

The troubling pattern here is complete earnings stagnation: graduates make essentially the same salary four years into their careers as they did on day one. While UNO performs competitively within Louisiana (only Lafayette and LSU show notably higher earnings), it lags behind the national median by about $4,400. For a field that typically rewards experience with steady raises, this flat trajectory warrants attention. It could reflect Louisiana's regional market dynamics—where all civil engineering salaries remain relatively compressed—rather than program-specific limitations.

For Louisiana families, this represents decent value if staying in-state makes financial sense. The debt load is reasonable and starting salaries cover the basics. But students with ambitions for salary growth should understand they're likely entering a market where advancement may come more from strategic job changes than steady progression at a single employer. The program gets you to an acceptable starting point; moving beyond it may require deliberate career management.