At $11,633/yr net price, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates earn $46,769/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,769/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,633 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,769/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,769/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,709/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,617/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,001/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,910/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,747/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $121,641 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $71,351 | $56,954 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,101 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $21,602 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,124 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $15,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $12,555 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,770 | $26,984 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $51,273 | $18,093 |
The Risk Factor
50.6% of students at University of Louisiana at Monroe 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
The University of Louisiana at Monroe gives you a solid financial return for a public school in this price range. You pay a low net price and leave with median debt of $21,500, which lines up with a single year of typical earnings a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and it means a degree here rarely turns into a financial trap.
Your major decides everything. Nursing pays the best at $61,516, and it comes with debt that matches the median, so the payoff is real. Computer science follows close behind at $59,124. Clinical lab science and dental support are the smartest financial bets on campus: both pay in the mid-to-high $50,000s while carrying debt under $16,000, so you borrow less and earn more. Construction management rounds out the list above $51,000. All five top earners are bachelor-level, so these are honest undergraduate outcomes.
The main risk is finishing. Half of students graduate, and 28% don't return after year one. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and with a coin-flip graduation rate, that risk is real for you.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than $9,700 a year. But the price climbs fast above that: families over $110,000 pay $15,747, and even the $48,000-$75,000 tier jumps to $12,001. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing, computer science, or one of the health-tech programs and you're confident you'll finish. If you're undecided about your major or unsure you'll make it to graduation, the 50% grad rate makes the bet riskier, and you should weigh that before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Louisiana at Monroe worth the cost?
ULM offers decent value with a low net price of $11,633 annually and moderate debt levels around $21,500. However, the 50% graduation rate and $46,769 average earnings after 10 years suggest mixed returns depending on your program choice.
What are the best paying programs at University of Louisiana at Monroe?
Pharmacy leads with $121,641 average earnings, followed by rehabilitation professions at $71,351 and business administration at $67,101. These programs justify the investment better than the school's overall average.
How much debt do University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low annual net price of $11,633 helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at University of Louisiana at Monroe?
Only 50.6% of students graduate, which is below the national average and raises concerns about completing your degree. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.