As an Opportunity Builder, ULM combines accessible admission standards with strong health science programs and exceptional affordability performance. The university ranks in the 84.1st percentile for affordability while delivering earnings beyond expectations, supporting economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds.
With typical ratings around the national average, driven by moderate earnings relative to educational investment
Earning well above average ratings for cost management
With above average performance, indicating strong enrollment of first-generation and Pell-eligible students
With above average ratings, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-tier test scores with moderate selectivity
University of Louisiana at Monroe ranks #386 nationally with strong performance in affordability, achieving the 84.1st percentile and earning well above average ratings. Located in Monroe, Louisiana, this medium-sized public university maintains moderate selectivity with a 74.6% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations.
ULM enrolls 33.4% Pell-eligible students and 38.0% first-generation students, demonstrating commitment to accessible higher education. The institution delivers earnings beyond expectations of $1,806 per graduate, ranking at the 63.1st percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $46,769 ten years after enrollment, while graduates maintain manageable debt levels at $21,500, below the peer median of $21,105. This combination positions ULM as an Opportunity Builder, serving students from diverse backgrounds with affordable pathways to degree completion and career advancement.
ULM combines affordability with manageable debt levels to support long-term financial stability. Graduates earn $46,769 ten years after enrollment, which falls below the peer median of $50,116 but comes with debt levels $395 below peer institutions.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 indicates that student loans remain manageable relative to post-graduation income. Earnings beyond expectations of $1,806, ranking at the 63.1st percentile, demonstrates the university's ability to deliver outcomes that exceed predictions based on student demographics.
Students seeking affordable public education with strong health science programs, particularly nursing and clinical specialties. Well-suited for first-generation students (38.0%) and those prioritizing manageable costs over highly selective admission standards.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Louisiana At Monroe hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-louisiana-at-monroe/analysis.
University of Louisiana at Monroe admits 74.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 students who apply receive offers of admission. This places ULM in the Moderately Selective category, making admission accessible for students with solid academic preparation.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that ULM maintains somewhat higher standards than typical regional public universities, creating a selective environment while remaining accessible to diverse student populations. This selectivity level means that students with strong high school records and standardized test scores have favorable admission prospects.
The university's approach balances accessibility with academic standards, particularly evident in specialized programs like nursing and health sciences that may have additional requirements. Students should view ULM as a realistic target school rather than a reach institution, making it suitable for students seeking quality education without the uncertainty associated with highly competitive admission processes.
For prospective students, this admission rate suggests that academic preparation and program fit matter more than exceptional credentials, allowing students to focus on demonstrating interest in specific fields rather than competing primarily on test scores and GPA rankings.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Louisiana at Monroe's published cost of attendance reaches $23,552 annually, including $21,290 in out-of-state tuition, $10,182 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. Louisiana residents pay significantly less with in-state tuition of $9,190.
However, the average student pays just $11,633 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,919 through institutional and federal assistance programs. This net price falls $2,460 above the peer median of $14,093, indicating that while ULM provides substantial aid, costs remain moderately higher than similar regional public universities.
The gap between sticker price and net cost demonstrates ULM's commitment to affordability through need-based aid distribution. Financial aid savings of nearly $12,000 per student indicate robust federal and institutional support systems that make college accessible for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The university's affordability performance ranks at the 84.1st percentile nationally, reflecting successful cost management relative to educational quality and outcomes.
University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from $40,430 six years after enrollment to $46,769 at ten years, representing 15.7% growth over the four-year period. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,133 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures.
Earnings span from $29,939 at the 25th percentile to $68,912 at the 75th percentile, a 2.3:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory. The university generates $1,806 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing ULM at the 63.1st percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $40,400, ranking in the top 50 nationally for this outcome metric. Approximately 26.0% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
While median earnings fall below peer institutions by $3,347, the controlled debt environment supports long-term financial sustainability for graduates across all income backgrounds.
Clinical and Industrial Drug Development.
73 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
116 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
24 graduates
Dental Assisting/Assistant.
25 graduates
Computer Science.
37 graduates
ULM offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Clinical and Industrial Drug Development ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Louisiana, producing 73 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $129,775 and a value score of 75.0.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #131 nationally and #3 in Louisiana, graduating 116 students with median earnings of $69,355 and a value score of 52.6. Psychology, General ranks #247 nationally but represents the university's largest program with 153 graduates.
General Studies ranks #87 nationally and #3 in Louisiana, producing 68 graduates with earnings of $44,375. Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #151 nationally and #3 in Louisiana with 74 graduates earning $39,670.
Several programs demonstrate flagship status at ULM, including top-tier health science specialties and professional preparation programs that drive strong employment outcomes in Louisiana's healthcare sector.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisiana Tech University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#382 ranked) | LA | 73% | $52,279 | #382 | Compare |
Oregon Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#377 ranked) | OR | 92% | $72,273 | #377 | Compare |
Southern Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#387 ranked) | CT | 81% | $55,043 | #387 | Compare |
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#375 ranked) | PA | 93% | $56,148 | #375 | Compare |
North Dakota State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#389 ranked) | ND | 96% | $62,203 | #389 | Compare |