


LSU's reported overall graduation rate is 69%, while its four-year graduation rate is 47%. A separately reported six-year rate is 66%. These figures describe defined student cohorts and measurement periods; they are not a prediction for an individual student.
The four-year figure shows why finishing on the standard eight-semester schedule is a different question from eventually completing a degree. The reported first-to-second-year retention rate is 85%, measuring continued enrollment rather than graduation. Readers should avoid treating the overall and six-year figures as interchangeable: published completion measures can cover different cohorts or use different reporting definitions. Transfer students and part-time students may follow paths that are not well represented by a first-time, full-time cohort rate.
LSU's field-of-study earnings figures describe reported earnings about one year after completion, not a guaranteed starting salary or a forecast of lifetime income. College Scorecard field measures are based on graduates meeting its reporting criteria, including federal-aid and employment-related data rules.
In the October 2026 field data, the reported one-year figure for chemical engineering is $80,305. The corresponding figure is $54,915 for computer science and $41,354 for business administration and management. Differences can reflect occupation, location, additional schooling, and who is captured in each field's data - not simply the effect of a major. One-year measures are especially limited for fields in which graduates commonly enter graduate school or require further training.
Students comparing majors should examine the exact credential, population, and timing behind an earnings measure. A reported median describes the middle of a measured group; it does not mean every graduate earns that amount, and it does not account on its own for debt, living costs, or job satisfaction.
Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
$52,543Animal Sciences
$24,323Anthropology
$27,166Apparel and Textiles
$27,917Architecture
$45,056Biology, General
$18,374Biomedical/Medical Engineering
$38,002Business Administration, Management and Operations
$41,354Chemical Engineering
$80,305Chemistry
$53,433Civil Engineering
$59,301Communication and Media Studies
$35,258Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
$24,657Computer Engineering
$72,214Computer Science
$54,915Construction Management
$63,541Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
$20,309Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$74,032English Language and Literature, General
$32,598Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
$56,737Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
$26,922Finance and Financial Management Services
$47,725Fine and Studio Arts
$24,197Geography and Cartography
$44,642Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
$37,819History
$29,242Industrial Engineering
$60,658Interior Architecture
$37,464International Business
$39,643International/Globalization Studies
$22,919Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
$51,461Marketing
$36,694Mathematics
$44,779Mechanical Engineering
$70,811Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
$35,523Music
$29,121Natural Resources Conservation and Research
$42,687Nutrition Sciences
$25,359Petroleum Engineering
$75,560Philosophy
$25,175Political Science and Government
$27,401Psychology, General
$24,967Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
$26,375Sociology
$26,621Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$27,971Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$41,680Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
$28,061BACHELOR’S Degree
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Engineering
Education
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Social Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Psychology
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
MASTER’S Degree
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Library Science
Education
Engineering
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Health Professions and Related Programs
Visual and Performing Arts
Natural Resources and Conservation
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
DOCTOR’S Degree
Engineering
Physical Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Education
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Psychology
Social Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Health Professions and Related Programs
Data last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.