At $15,260/yr net price, Southern University at New Orleans graduates earn $34,042/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $42/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,260 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,040 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,042/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1453.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 17.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,247/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,748/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Master | $38,195 | $41,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $36,141 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $36,134 | $48,318 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $32,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $28,125 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,715 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $26,585 | $28,864 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $18,771 | $29,808 |
The Risk Factor
17.9% of students at Southern University at New Orleans graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return at Southern University at New Orleans is weak, and the risks stack up fast. You'll pay around $15,000 a year net, borrow a median of $31,000, and ten years out the typical graduate earns barely above what a high school diploma often commands. That gap between debt and payoff is the core problem here.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Fewer than one in five students graduate, and barely half return after their first year. If you take on debt and don't finish, you carry the loans without the degree that's supposed to pay them off. That's the single most important number for you to weigh.
Among the programs, Health and Medical Administrative Services and Social Work sit at the top for earnings, though Social Work comes with $32,000 in debt against a $32,925 salary , roughly a dollar of debt for every dollar of first-decade income. Psychology and Criminal Justice pay less and still carry near-$28,000 in debt. Biology lands at the bottom for earnings, which matters because a bachelor's in biology usually needs graduate school to pay, adding more cost on top.
The net price barely moves across income levels. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay about the same as a family earning $48,000 to $75,000. Lower-income families don't get much of a break here, so the sticker price hits hardest for those least able to absorb it.
This school makes financial sense if you're in a health administration or social work track, live locally, and can keep borrowing low. If your plan depends on high early earnings, or you're not confident you'll finish, the retention and graduation numbers should push you to look at other Louisiana public options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern University at New Orleans worth the cost?
With graduates earning a median of $34,042 ten years after graduation and carrying $31,000 in debt, the financial return is challenging. The extremely low 17.9% graduation rate means most students don't complete their degree, making the investment risky for many.
What are the best paying majors at Southern University at New Orleans?
Social Work and Health/Medical Administrative Services offer the highest returns, with graduates earning $38,195 and $36,141 respectively. Criminal Justice graduates earn around $36,134, while Psychology majors see lower earnings at $29,685.
How much student debt do Southern University at New Orleans graduates have?
Graduates typically carry $31,000 in student loan debt. With median earnings of $34,042, this debt load represents nearly a full year's salary, creating a significant financial burden.
What is the graduation rate at Southern University at New Orleans?
Only 17.9% of students graduate from Southern University at New Orleans. This extremely low completion rate means most students end up with debt but no degree, making it a high-risk investment.