Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Southern University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $33,033 six years after enrollment to $38,628 at eight years and $43,371 at ten years. This represents 31.3% growth from the six-year mark, indicating steady career advancement and skill development for graduates.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Moderate debt load. Repaying $29,251 requires planning but is achievable.
Student debt levels at Southern University present significant concerns, with median debt of $29,251 substantially exceeding the peer median of $20,210 by $9,041. Debt ranges from $6,500 at the 25th percentile to $31,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating most graduates carry substantial borrowing burdens.
Southern University achieves above average return performance, ranking at the 55.5th percentile nationally with consistent earnings beyond expectations for graduates. The institution generates $7,224 in earnings uplift relative to student demographics and program mix, placing it in the 80.3rd percentile for this outcome measure.
Approximately 27.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating substantial preparation for advanced education alongside workf...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-specific returns vary dramatically, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning $65,490 representing the strongest return on educational investment. Healthcare programs generally offer superior earning potential, with nursing outcomes nearly double other program areas.
Mid-tier programs including Forensic Social Work ($38,183), Animal-Assisted Therapy ($35,528), and Family Sciences ($34,456) provide moderate returns requiring careful debt management. Lower-earning programs such as Psychology ($33,765) and Audiology ($25,281) may require graduate school preparation to optimize career returns, though this extends total educational costs and time to degree completion.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution shows significant variation in graduate outcomes, with the 25th percentile at $24,178 and 75th percentile at $63,976, creating a 2.6:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $37,500, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for disadvantaged students.
