Lafayette, LA · Private University
Is University of Louisiana at Lafayette Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,089
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,418
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,146
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$96,584
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.95x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,902
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,118
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates earn $2,089 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranked by graduate earnings
69 graduates
46 graduates
143 graduates
50 graduates
58 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the gap between the highest-earning major (Petroleum Engineering: $100,443) and the lowest (Design and Applied Arts: $28,206) is $72,237/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum EngineeringBest ROI | $100,443 | 4.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $85,554 | 3.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,330 | 3.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $78,642 | 3.3x |
| Computer Science | $74,787 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,756 | 3.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,223 | 3.0x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $61,953 | 2.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,417 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $51,956 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,014 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,582 | 1.9x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $44,856 | 1.9x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $42,715 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $42,475 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,221 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,995 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,742 | 1.7x |
| Marketing | $40,501 | 1.7x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $40,057 | 1.7x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,037 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $38,948 | 1.6x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $38,783 | 1.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,556 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,808 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,718 | 1.6x |
| History | $37,425 | 1.6x |
| Psychology, General | $36,916 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $36,661 | 1.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,108 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $33,195 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,006 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $28,206 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,089 10 years after starting, $2,089 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.