Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,495/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,495/yr |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Residency Programs. | Doctoral | $198,793 | $160,560 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $170,926 | $134,633 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $111,769 | $225,325 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $99,325 | $69,841 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $98,670 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $73,215 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $68,219 | $84,639 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $62,579 | $15,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,433 | $21,395 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $60,399 | $55,615 |
Analysis
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans gives you a solid return with low risk. Median debt of $19,500 sits well below the $78,495 median earnings ten years out, which means you can pay it back without much strain. For a public health-focused school, that gap is the whole story: you borrow little and earn enough to cover it.
The catch is that the four listed bachelor programs all earn less than the school-wide median. Dental support and registered nursing lead the group in the low $62,000s, both landing you clear of debt within a few years. Nursing carries the highest debt of the four at $21,395, but the pay covers it. Clinical/medical laboratory science and allied health diagnostic professions pay less, with the diagnostic and treatment track at $48,823 and no debt figure listed. That $48,823 is the weakest bachelor outcome here, so go in knowing the ceiling.
The school-wide $78,495 median is pulled up by graduate and professional degrees this campus is built around, not by the undergraduate programs above. If you enroll for a bachelor's in one of these health fields, plan around the $48,000 to $62,000 range, not the higher number.
This school fits you if you want a direct path into a licensed health job in the New Orleans area and you value low borrowing. Nursing and dental support graduates come out best. If you want a bachelor's that pays six figures, the undergraduate tracks here won't get you there, and you should look elsewhere.
The 21.93% Pell rate points to a mostly non-Pell student body, but it says nothing about full-price enrollment. other grants and loans cover many students. Check your specific net price tier before assuming what you'll owe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans worth the cost?
For dental and nursing programs, yes - graduates earn $99,000 to $199,000 annually with relatively low debt at $19,500 median. Other health programs show weaker returns with the overall 10-year median of $78,495.
What are the highest paying programs at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans?
Dental residency programs top the list at $198,793 annually, followed by nursing administration at $170,926. General dentistry graduates earn $111,769, making dental programs the clear financial winners.
How much debt do Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans students graduate with?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable compared to many health science programs. This low debt load helps improve ROI across most programs at the school.
Do nursing programs at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans pay off?
Advanced nursing programs like administration and research offer strong returns at $170,926 and $98,670 respectively. The low debt burden makes even the lower-earning nursing tracks financially viable.