College of Engineering Dean Richard Koubek is concerned about corporations no longer recruiting students because of budget cuts, though engineering students receive higher salaries than average.
The average starting salary for University engineering graduates is 6 to 8 percent higher than the national average, according to Koubek.
The University’s top five highest-earning degrees are petroleum, chemical, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, according to a salary survey provided by University Relations. The average for University petroleum engineering graduates is $87,214, as opposed to the national average at $83,121.
“The fact companies are paying 6, 7, 8 percent more starting salary — that’s impressive,” Koubek said.
The University has been a source of recruiting for corporations like Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Halliburton, who hire students straight from graduation, Koubek said.
“We have to be very creative on how we’re going to deliver [the] education of the future,” Koubek said. “You can’t just Band-Aid over it.”
Koubek said the College of Engineering may have to teach larger class sizes and teach labs differently to protect the integrity of an LSU degree. “We are continually getting questioned about our ability to educate students to the quality we have in the past,” Koubek said.
Besides getting creative, the University needs to diversify its funding, Koubek said.
“[Teaching] takes money, and that [means we need to] diversify streams of support,” Koubek said. “We do look to partner more with companies who are hiring our students.”
Besides receiving support from alumni, Koubek said the school partners with companies. Koubek said Chevron donated nearly $5 million to the school for faculty support, student support, renovating labs and for undergraduate scholarships.
“I joke all the new stuff is from philanthropy because of the generosity of our donors,” Koubek said.
 
–
Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]