Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It? The Numbers Say Yes
In a competitive job market, experience matters — and so does education.
Bachelor’s degree holders earn more, face lower unemployment, and qualify for a wider range of roles. Thanks to flexible online programs, earning that degree has never been more accessible.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 100% online bachelor’s programs are designed for working adults who want more — more opportunity, more earning power, and more control over their future.
If you're weighing the return on that investment, the numbers speak for themselves.
1. Higher Pay and Lower Risk
Education pays. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor’s degree holders earn nearly $30,000 more per year than those with a high school diploma and face unemployment at half the rate.
Brandy Broussard, graduate of the RN to BSN online program, landed her long-awaited VA clinic job the Monday after graduation.
“With the VA clinic being a federal job, having my BSN puts me at a whole new pay tier. That is huge for me,” she says.
In Louisiana, degree holders earn an average of $40,500 annually. Salaries tend to be even higher in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and they grow with experience, specialization, and location.
2. More Careers Require It
Sommer Haas, a graduate of UL Lafayette’s online general studies program, was working in health care IT but found there was a clear ceiling without a bachelor’s degree.
“It came to a point where I had the experience but didn’t have the education, and I was getting turned down for jobs that I was told I’d be great at,” she says. “I remember one time, I was sitting in an interview, and the interviewer asked me if I would ever consider going back and finishing my bachelor’s.”
Many professionals reach a similar point in their careers. In fields like data analysis, health care administration, government, and business management, a bachelor’s degree is often the baseline qualification.
As industries become more specialized and data-driven, having that credential helps you stay competitive and move forward.
3. Skills Employers Want
A degree program helps you build the skills employers are actively hiring for.
Through online learning, you’ll develop key strengths like digital communication, time management, and organization. These “power skills” are essential across industries and consistently top LinkedIn’s annual list of Most In-Demand Skills.
The skills acquired through online coursework can especially come in handy if you’re looking for remote work. Health Promotion and Wellness graduate Haley Fisher seamlessly transitioned to online coursework to a remote position with a non-surgical orthopedic practice.
“Online coursework helped me have the self-motivation and dedication to stick to what I'm doing,” she says. “It's easy to get distracted, but I still have a goal to get things done. Doing that with the Health Promotion program really helped me because I take the same skills and the things that I learned from that to my remote role.”
4. Designed for Working Adults
UL Lafayette’s 100% online bachelor’s programs are built for busy adults balancing work, family, and life.
Damon Trahan, an online general studies graduate and sales manager covering the entire state of Louisiana, found a way to make it work with his schedule.
“I was able to download the app where my instructors would record and upload their lectures. I drive a lot for my job, so I’d listen to the recordings while driving. That allowed some reinforcement of the material that I was reading.”
You’ll choose between 8-week and 16-week course options with the flexibility to log in when it works for you. Transfer-friendly policies help you build on the credits you already have, and you’ll have access to an online student support team dedicated to helping you succeed as an online learner.
5. Save Money Now, Earn More Later
Going back to school doesn’t have to mean going deep into debt. UL Lafayette’s online programs offer flat-rate tuition and no extra fees, so you know exactly what to expect and how to plan for it.
For Sarah Beard, a health services administration grad working full-time, that transparency made all the difference.
“The flat-rate tuition and no fees made it possible for me to go back to college without taking out massive amounts of student loans.”
With private student loan rates ranging from 3% to nearly 18%, lowering how much you borrow can save you thousands over time. Choosing an affordable online program like UL Lafayette’s keeps your upfront investment low, and your long-term return high.
Ready to Invest in Yourself?
A bachelor’s degree is still one of the smartest long-term investments you can make, and it can open doors for years to come.
And with UL Lafayette’s flexible, affordable online bachelor’s programs, you can earn a degree with real-world value on a schedule that works for your life.
