Southeastern Louisiana University combines Open Access admission with above-expected earnings performance. The university generates $2,918 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining manageable debt levels and strong affordability rankings, supporting economic mobility for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who represent nearly 40% of enrollment.
Around the national average, driven by moderate long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Strong financial aid support and controlled net costs that place the university well above average nationally
Demonstrating above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
The institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Opportunity Builders: accessible education with strong mobility outcomes
Southeastern Louisiana University ranks #312 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with overall performance at the 80.9th percentile placing it well above average. Located in Hammond, Louisiana, this medium-sized public university maintains Open Access admission standards with a 94.3% acceptance rate while serving a diverse student population.
Southeastern Louisiana University enrolls 33.0% Pell-eligible students and 39.9% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $2,918 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 67.1st percentile nationally and placing the institution above average for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $46,482 ten years after enrollment. The university's Opportunity Builders designation reflects its role in providing accessible education with outcomes that support economic advancement.
With manageable median debt of $22,113 and strong affordability performance at the 82.1st percentile, Southeastern Louisiana University combines broad access with financial sustainability for graduates.
Southeastern Louisiana University demonstrates strong return on investment through controlled costs and earnings performance that exceeds expectations. Graduates earn $2,918 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university in the 67.1st percentile for earnings uplift and above average performance.
Median earnings reach $46,482 ten years after enrollment, with outcomes ranging from $29,383 at the 25th percentile to $68,123 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across academic programs. Low-income graduates earn $39,500, indicating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking affordable higher education with strong financial aid support and manageable debt levels. Well-suited for first-generation students (39.9%) and Pell-eligible students (33.0%) looking for accessible admissions with demonstrated support systems that help students from diverse backgrounds achieve degree completion.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Southeastern Louisiana University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/southeastern-louisiana-university/analysis.
Southeastern Louisiana University maintains Open Access admission standards with a 94.3% acceptance rate, meaning approximately 19 in 20 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university among the most accessible four-year institutions nationally, with admission rates well above the peer median of 84.6%.
The university's admission approach prioritizes educational access rather than selectivity, reflecting its mission to serve diverse student populations including first-generation and Pell-eligible students. For most academically qualified high school graduates, admission to Southeastern Louisiana University represents a realistic and achievable goal.
Students should focus their application efforts on demonstrating readiness for college-level coursework rather than viewing admission as highly competitive. This accessibility enables the university to serve as an important pathway for students seeking affordable higher education in Louisiana and the broader Gulf South region.
Prospective students should treat Southeastern Louisiana University as a solid foundation option when building their college lists, particularly those prioritizing affordability and proven outcomes in economic mobility.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southeastern Louisiana University's published cost of attendance is $22,647 per year, comprising $20,851 in out-of-state tuition, $10,240 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of just $8,373, reducing total costs substantially for Louisiana residents.
However, the average student pays $12,174 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,473 through institutional and federal aid programs. This net price places the university $1,919 above the peer median of $14,093, though the university's strong affordability index ranking at the 82.1st percentile indicates effective financial aid targeting.
The substantial gap between sticker price and actual cost demonstrates the university's commitment to making higher education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Financial aid effectiveness varies by family income, with the most significant support directed toward lower-income students who benefit from both federal Pell grants and institutional aid.
Students should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as the average financial aid package substantially reduces the actual cost of attendance.
Southeastern Louisiana University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early career trajectory. Median earnings progress from $37,124 six years after enrollment to $42,305 at eight years and $46,482 at ten years, representing 25.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 4,084 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported earnings figures. The institution generates $2,918 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 67.1st percentile nationally for earnings uplift relative to student demographics and program mix.
Low-income graduates earn $39,500, demonstrating solid post-graduation outcomes for students from lower-income families. Earnings span from $29,383 at the 25th percentile to $68,123 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program offerings and varied career pathways.
The 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile earnings indicates meaningful variation in outcomes across different fields of study. Approximately 26.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis, showing strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
20 graduates
Computer Science.
42 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
152 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
27 graduates
Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician.
31 graduates
Southeastern Louisiana University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome tracking. Computer Science ranks #156 nationally and #5 in Louisiana, producing 42 graduates with median earnings of $75,110 and a value score of 15.3.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #216 nationally and #4 in Louisiana, graduating 152 students with median earnings of $66,459 and strong enrollment reflecting student demand. Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Louisiana, graduating 31 students with median earnings of $63,136.
Chemical Engineering Technology ranks #24 nationally and #3 in Louisiana, with 53 graduates earning $59,941. General Studies represents the university's largest program with 225 graduates annually, ranking #73 nationally and #2 in Louisiana with median earnings of $37,847.
Business Administration and Management graduates 186 students annually, ranking #275 nationally with median earnings of $44,026, reflecting the program's broad appeal and career versatility.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Midwestern State University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#310 ranked) | TX | 87% | $55,747 | #310 | Compare |
Jacksonville State University Similar quality tier (#313 ranked) | AL | 76% | $45,235 | #313 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Similar quality tier (#316 ranked) | MA | 92% | $68,804 | #316 | Compare |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Similar quality tier (#317 ranked) | IL | 90% | $53,390 | #317 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Upstate Similar quality tier (#306 ranked) | SC | 70% | $48,587 | #306 | Compare |