Louisiana Universities Reevaluated Degree Programs

State institutions are reviewing academic offerings as the job market for recent college graduates continues to weaken.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Internships

Isometric editorial illustration of a solitary wooden lecture podium on a concrete floor, representing higher education structural review. — Louisiana's Board of Regents is reviewing 40 academic degree programs to better align university curricula with changing workforce demands. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Louisiana universities are reexamining degree programs and career support services amid a softening labor market for recent graduates. The state Board of Regents is currently evaluating the potential termination of 40 academic programs to better align degrees with professional outcomes.

Why it matters

The review comes as labor data shows over 40% of recent college graduates are working in jobs that do not require a degree. This trend highlights the challenge of bridging the gap between higher education and current workforce demands.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has terminated over 100 academic programs in the last five years, with 40 more potentially facing closure this year. Reported positive outcome rates vary significantly among state institutions, ranging from 54% to 91%.

The players

Louisiana Board of Regents

This is the state agency responsible for coordinating and planning higher education across Louisiana's public universities.

Louisiana State University

This is a public research university that recently implemented faculty training programs to improve student career outcomes.

Tulane University

This is a private research university in New Orleans that reported a 91% positive outcome rate for its graduates.

Loyola University New Orleans

This is a private Jesuit university that tracks employment metrics for its graduating classes.

The details

Universities are utilizing data from platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake, as well as direct student surveys, to track post-graduation success. In response to these metrics, Louisiana State University has implemented a new initiative to train faculty on how to integrate career support directly into their classroom instruction.

Over the last five years, the Board of Regents terminated more than 100 academic programs.
The labor market for recent graduates has shown signs of weakening over the past two years.
LSU reported an 86% positive outcome rate for its graduates last year.
Loyola University reported that 54% of its Class of 2025 were employed within six months of graduation.

Market Landscape

The push by the Louisiana Board of Regents to terminate underperforming degrees reflects a broader national shift toward data-driven accountability in higher education. This move positions state institutions to prioritize employability, differentiating them from programs that may no longer align with current market needs.

Students and prospective applicants may see significant changes in available majors as universities phase out programs with poor career outcomes. These shifts could result in more focused career support services and updated curriculum requirements intended to increase post-graduation employment success.

The takeaway

Students should prioritize academic programs that provide transparent data on alumni job placement to ensure their education yields a professional return. Assessing the alignment between a chosen field of study and current labor demand remains a critical step for modern undergraduates.