Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards.Our methodology

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Best General Studies. Programs in Louisiana (2025)

Compare 10 General Studies. programs in Louisiana. Average earnings: $36,564.

Average Program Earnings: $36,564

The highest-earning General Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 10 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.

University of Louisiana at Monroe's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $44,375. The variation tells the story—while the average across programs is $36,564, Monroe outperforms even selective Tulane ($38,148) despite accepting 75% of applicants versus Tulane's 15%.

For students, Monroe achieves a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48—graduates can pay off their entire student debt with about 6 months of salary. With a 13.5% payment burden rating as 'Manageable', loan payments take a reasonable bite out of post-grad income.

Top General Studies. Programs

Top Program

University Of Louisiana At Monroe

Highest program earnings: $44,375

Hidden Gem

University Of Louisiana At Monroe

Strong outcomes with 75% acceptance

Best Value (Student)

University Of Louisiana At Monroe

13.5% payment burden | Manageable

Best Value (Family)

University Of Louisiana At Monroe

20.9% family burden | Challenging

All 10 Programs

Rank	School	Program Earnings	Cohort Size	Student Debt	Student GPS	Parent Debt	Parent GPS
#1	University Of Louisiana At MonroePublic	$44,375	68	$21,500	Manageable	$10,174	Challenging
#2	Northwestern State University Of LouisianaPublic	$43,938	152	$25,000	Manageable	$11,900	Challenging
#3	Tulane University Of LouisianaPrivate	$38,148	13	$20,500	Challenging	$33,574	High
#4	Southeastern Louisiana UniversityPublic	$37,847	225	$22,113	Challenging	$10,611	High
#5	Mcneese State UniversityPublic	$36,581	127	$23,000	Challenging	$13,410	High
#6	Louisiana State University-AlexandriaPublic	$36,032	61	$19,000	Challenging	$10,000	High
#7	Louisiana State University-ShreveportPublic	$35,807	53	$22,500	Challenging	$14,730	High
#8	University Of Louisiana At LafayettePublic	$35,108	325	$22,902	High	$13,655	High
#9	Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical CollegePublic	$32,029	33	$20,500	High	$25,645	High
#10	Southern University At New OrleansPublic	$25,777	19	$31,000	High	$9,000	High

#1University Of Louisiana At Monroe

Monroe, LA • Public

💰

$44,375Program Earnings

Cohort

$21,500

Student Debt

$10,174

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

13.5% burden

20.9% burden

🎓47% pursue grad school

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#2Northwestern State University Of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA • Public

💰

$43,938Program Earnings

152

Cohort

$25,000

Student Debt

$11,900

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

16.0% burden

24.8% burden

#3Tulane University Of Louisiana

New Orleans, LA • Private nonprofit

💰

$38,148Program Earnings

Cohort

$20,500

Student Debt

$33,574

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

18.1% burden

52.1% burden

#4Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA • Public

💰

$37,847Program Earnings

225

Cohort

$22,113

Student Debt

$10,611

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

19.9% burden

30.8% burden

💼7% pursue grad school

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#5Mcneese State University

Lake Charles, LA • Public

💰

$36,581Program Earnings

127

Cohort

$23,000

Student Debt

$13,410

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

22.5% burden

37.6% burden

#6Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Alexandria, LA • Public

💰

$36,032Program Earnings

Cohort

$19,000

Student Debt

$10,000

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

19.4% burden

31.1% burden

#7Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Shreveport, LA • Public

💰

$35,807Program Earnings

Cohort

$22,500

Student Debt

$14,730

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

23.3% burden

40.9% burden

#8University Of Louisiana At Lafayette

Lafayette, LA • Public

💰

$35,108Program Earnings

325

Cohort

$22,902

Student Debt

$13,655

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

25.1% burden

42.2% burden

#9Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA • Public

💰

$32,029Program Earnings

Cohort

$20,500

Student Debt

$25,645

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

29.8% burden

72.6% burden

#10Southern University At New Orleans

New Orleans, LA • Public

💰

$25,777Program Earnings

Cohort

$31,000

Student Debt

$9,000

Parent Debt

GPS Affordability(What's this?)

133.3% burden

177.7% burden

How These Rankings Work

Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"

Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.

Methodology

• Data Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
• Metric: Median earnings 4 years after graduation for this specific field
• Ranking: Schools sorted by program earnings (highest to lowest)
• Minimum threshold: Only programs with 5+ graduates included

Important Caveats

• "Best" = highest earnings — not necessarily the best fit for every student
• Earnings reflect graduates from ~6-8 years ago; programs may have changed
• Programs with small cohorts (5-30 graduates) have higher variance
• Schools in high-cost areas may show higher earnings that reflect location, not program quality

Our Methodology →About Azimuth →

Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →