Louisiana’s community colleges offer different educational opportunities for students statewide. There are over a dozen community colleges in Louisiana and these colleges play an important role in the development of young people seeking to enter the workforce in Louisiana.
These colleges also offer students flexible options for learning including online learning and hybrid learning paths. In Louisiana, sectors like healthcare, tourism, and construction are rapidly growing and this translates to many job opportunities for community college graduates.
If you are interested in studying at a community college in Louisiana, you should choose the best. This choice directly impacts your employability in the workforce you plan to go into. Below, we have listed the best community colleges in Louisiana, their academic offering, their learning options, and average tuition costs to help you choose.
Top 5 Community Colleges in Louisiana
1. Louisiana Delta Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College is a public community college in Monroe founded in 2001. Today, LDCC offers over a hundred associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs in disciplines, like arts and sciences, business, healthcare, and technical.
The college caters to both transfer students looking to continue their education at four-year institutions and individuals seeking immediate entry into the workforce.
LDCC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Similar to numerous other community colleges in Louisiana, LDCC utilizes Canvas for remote learning. The tuition fee stands is $8773.
2. Louisiana State University-Eunice
Louisiana State University Eunice is a public community college in Eunice. It was founded in 1967 as a two-year commuter college within the Louisiana State University System. Over time, it was expanded into a comprehensive community college.
At LSU, you can enroll for associate degree and certificate programs in arts and sciences, business, health sciences, and technical areas. The college maintains partnerships with four-year universities and colleges to ensure seamless credit transfer for students who want to pursue further education or enter the workforce directly after completing their associate degrees. The tuition fee stands at $8890.
3. Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge Community College is a public community college in Baton Rouge, it was founded in 1995. Are you looking for a community college that offers associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs in liberal arts, business, health sciences, technical education, and workforce training? Baton Rouge Community College is the best place for you to go. BRCC offers online and hybrid courses using the Canvas platform. The tuition fee is $9135.
4. South Louisiana Community College
South Louisiana Community College is a Lafayette-based public community college that was founded in 1997 as part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. SLCC offers a comprehensive range of associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs spanning liberal arts, business, health sciences, technical education, and workforce training.
Through strategic collaborations with local businesses, industries, and four-year universities, SLCC designs programs to meet the workforce demands of the state. They also maintain partnerships with four-year universities to help students who want to further their education to be able to transfer their credits. The tuition fee for this college is $9015.
5. River Parishes Community College
River Parishes Community College is located in Sorrento, it is a public community college that provides accessible and affordable education to residents of the River Parishes region.
RPCC is one of the best community colleges in Louisiana because it offers associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs in liberal arts, business, healthcare, technical education, and workforce training.
RPCC maintains a collaboration with local businesses, industries, and universities to build programs that would meet the needs of the local workforce and ensure the success of its students. The tuition at River Parishes is affordable, it is about $8773 a year.
The Cost of Attending Community Colleges in Louisiana
The expenses associated with attending a community college are not the same for everyone. When you are thinking about the overall cost of attending a community college, you have to factor in tuition, fees, and living costs. While the overall costs differ, we can give you a range for it. Tuition for in-state students at Louisiana community colleges is approximately $4,000 to $6,000 per year, out-of-state students tend to pay higher tuition rates; their tuition ranges from $8,000 to $10,000 per year.
In addition to tuition fees, consider other expenses such as textbooks, supplies, transportation, and living costs if you plan to reside on or near campus. These additional costs also are not the same for everyone because students have different lifestyle choices.
To reduce the total amount you will have to spend in college, you can look into financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans. Ensure that you explore all available financial aid opportunities and carefully consider your financial needs and resources when planning for college expenses.
Top 5 Most Popular Jobs In Louisiana For Community College Graduates
There are many jobs a Louisiana community college graduate can take up, below, we have listed the leading five occupations that community college graduates can do:-
- Registered Nurses (RNs): RNs provide patient care, medication administration, and collaborate with healthcare teams. The average salary for RNs in Louisiana is $67,000 annually.
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): LPNs, trained under RN and physician supervision, offer medical care. Community colleges often offer LPN programs and graduates earn about $44,000 per year.
- Welders: There is a high demand for welders in industries like construction and manufacturing. The average annual salary for welders in Louisiana is about $42,000.
- Medical Assistants: Medical assistants handle administrative and clinical duties. Many community colleges offer medical assisting programs and graduates can earn around $32,000.
- Computer Support Specialists: The tech industry is growing rapidly and the demand for these specialists who provide technical aid, troubleshoot issues, and maintain systems is also increasing. Community colleges often offer IT programs and graduates can earn about $47,000 annually.
These jobs show the opportunities for Louisiana community college graduates. They are popular because of local needs, and industry trends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Community Colleges in Louisiana
How many community colleges are there in Louisiana?
Louisiana is home to 12 community and technical colleges that offer many educational and training programs, from associate degree offerings to workforce development initiatives.
Can you get I Bachelor’s degree at a Community College in Louisiana?
No, community colleges in Louisiana offer associate degree programs and technical certifications rather than bachelor’s degree programs. Bachelor’s degree programs are offered at four-year colleges and universities.
However, community college graduates can often transfer their credits to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Many community colleges have agreements with four-year institutions to facilitate this transfer process, allowing students to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree.
What Are The Most Popular Courses Community College Students Enroll In?
The most popular programs that community college students in Louisiana enroll in include:-
- Nursing and healthcare programs
- Business administration and management programs
- Information technology and computer science programs
- Trade and technical programs (such as welding, automotive technology, HVAC, and electrical technology)
- General education programs (leading to associate degrees or transfer to four-year colleges/universities)