Mechanical Engineering at University of New Orleans

UNO's mechanical engineering program produces graduates who start slightly below state and national medians—$69K versus $73K in Louisiana and $71K nationally—but the $19,000 debt load is genuinely low, ranking in the 83rd percentile among similar programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, graduates owe less than three months' salary, meaning that even the lower initial earnings don't create a financial burden. The program sits solidly in the middle of Louisiana's eight engineering schools, ahead of UL Lafayette but trailing LSU and Louisiana Tech by about $7,000.

The 14% earnings growth to $78K by year four is healthy, and combined with the minimal debt, this represents a sound engineering education without the price tag of flagship programs. The moderate sample size and 40% Pell grant population suggest this program serves many first-generation college students, making the low debt particularly valuable for families without financial safety nets.

For Louisiana families, this is a practical choice: you're getting accredited mechanical engineering training at an accessible institution without taking on crushing debt. Your child won't command top-of-market salaries immediately, but they'll enter the workforce with genuine leverage and room to grow.