Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $18,766/yr fall 26% below the $25,392 national median for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,000 against $18,766/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #87 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $41,971 show a 124% jump from the $18,766 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.