Online Higher Education in Louisiana
Those who graduate with online degrees in Louisiana can expect to have more employment opportunities. As of January 2022, the state’s civilian labor force is 2,069,200. Of those, 1,979,300 were employed at that time. This leaves 89,800 of employable individuals without jobs, making the unemployment rate for the state 4.3%. This is down significantly from the year before when unemployment was 6.5%. In fact, Kansas has seen a consistent decline in unemployment rates since hitting a record high in May 2020 and is currently at one of the state’s lowest points in the past 10 years.
As of May 2020, Kansas had a mean hourly wage of $23.34 and an annual mean wage of $46,460. The national annual wage is $56,310, making earnings for workers in the state below average. It’s worth noting, however, that college graduates will have better job prospects, as well as higher salary potential, than those who do not have college degrees. The level of education achieved is also significant. The average five-year postgraduate pay for those with bachelor’s degrees is $54,785 per year, while those with master’s degrees earn an average of $63,740 per year. Professionals with doctorate degrees have the potential to make even more, with average five-year postgraduate pay ranging between $74,846 and $86,570.
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Prospective students should keep in mind that some industries pay more than others. In Louisiana, post-secondary employment wages are highest for the following subject areas: computer and information sciences and support, engineering, architecture and related services, and other engineering-related technologies.
As of the 2020-2021 academic year, the total student population in Louisiana was 253,786. This includes 213,902 undergraduate and 39,884 graduate school students. Of these, 68,249 students were enrolled online exclusively, while an additional 101,762 students were enrolled in some online courses. This means that over 66% of undergraduate and graduate students in Louisiana took at least one online class during the 2020-2021 academic year.
For Louisiana residents, the average cost of tuition and fees in the state was $8,267 per academic year in 2021. Students from other states paid more, however, with an average yearly tuition and fee commitment of $15,595. In-state students also paid less to live on campus as the average cost of housing provided by colleges and universities was $24,677. Non-residents paid an average of $32,005. The average cost of books and supplies was $1,617 for both groups. Notably, average in-state tuition rates have raised about $2,000 in the last two years.
Deciding to enroll with online colleges and universities in Louisiana may help decrease higher education expenses. Some institutions charge less in tuition and fees for distance learning programs. Additionally, online students do not have to pay for housing, meal plans, parking passes, or student activities fees. Those interested in attending classes online should also complete and submit FAFSAs, as they are still entitled to financial aid.
