At $12,209/yr net price, Louisiana Tech University graduates earn $52,279/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,279/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,209 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,836 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,279/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,279/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,135 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,529/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,010/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,846/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,442/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,634/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $84,653 | $17,100 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,600 | $26,216 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $19,334 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | Master | $56,415 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $53,810 | $22,732 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $53,108 | $21,500 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $49,214 | $39,967 |
| Architecture. | Master | $47,260 |
The Risk Factor
57.6% of students at Louisiana Tech University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Louisiana Tech gives you a solid financial return, especially if you land in engineering or computing. You pay around $12,000 a year and carry median debt near $22,000 at graduation, which sits below the typical median earnings a decade out. That gap is the whole story: your debt is manageable against what a Louisiana Tech degree pays back.
The payoff is concentrated. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn roughly $63,600, about $19,000 more per year than Air Transportation graduates, even though mechanical carries the heaviest debt on this list. Computer Science and Construction Engineering Technologies both clear $53,000 and keep debt near or below the school median, making them the cleanest value here. Management Information Systems pays less but borrows more, around $25,000 in debt for $46,673 in earnings, so it lags the two top engineering paths on return. Air Transportation pays the least of the five but also borrows the least.
The main risk is on the far end of the salary range. If you enroll in a program not listed here, the school's overall median of about $52,000 is your realistic baseline, and the strong numbers above are driven by engineering and tech. A 57.6% graduation rate means a meaningful share of you leave without a degree but potentially with debt, which is the worst outcome at any price.
Net price barely moves with income until you clear $75,000, where it jumps to around $15,400 and stays flat above that. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay closer to $9,000 a year, which makes the engineering and computing tracks a strong bet. This school fits you if you want a technical major with a clear regional job market. If you're drawn to fields outside the listed programs, weigh the $52,000 median carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana Tech University worth the cost?
Louisiana Tech offers solid value with a net price of $12,209 and median debt of $22,135, both below national averages. Engineering and business graduates earn $82,000-$84,000 starting salaries, making the investment worthwhile for these programs.
What are the highest paying majors at Louisiana Tech University?
Business administration and engineering-related fields lead with starting salaries around $82,000-$84,000. Mechanical engineering graduates earn $63,600, while nursing and dietetics programs start around $56,000-$57,000.
How much student debt do Louisiana Tech University graduates have?
The median debt is $22,135, which is manageable compared to the national average of around $30,000. Given the relatively low net price of $12,209 per year, most students can graduate without excessive debt.
Does Louisiana Tech University have a good graduation rate?
The graduation rate is 57.6%, which is below the national average of about 65%. This means many students take longer to finish or don't complete their degrees, which can impact the return on investment.