Compare 5 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Louisiana. Average earnings: $74,087.
With top graduates earning $99,262, Laser and Optical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $27K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with Laser and Optical Engineering graduates earning $99,262, well above the state average of $74,087. University of Louisiana At Lafayette follows at $85,554, while Louisiana Tech delivers $71,994—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes across Louisiana's engineering schools.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. LSU graduates borrow $20,500 and face just a 3.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. University of Louisiana At Lafayette leads family value with an 8.4% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $99,262
Strong outcomes with 74% acceptance
3.7% payment burden | Excellent
8.4% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $99,262 | 69 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #2 | $85,554 | 44 | $22,902 | Excellent | $13,655 | Good | |
| #3 | $71,994 | 35 | $22,135 | Excellent | $18,071 | Good | |
| #4 | $61,516 | 30 | $18,750 | Excellent | $15,048 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $52,107 | 8 | $29,251 | Manageable | $16,237 | Challenging |
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.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →