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Public, 2-year

SOWELA Technical Community College

Lake Charles, Louisiana · www.sowela.edu

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Out-of-state tuition

$4,305

$16,107 with room and board

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

3,446

Student-faculty ratio 19:1

Peer median 18 : 1

Graduation rate

43.2%

Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 47.4%

Peer median 33.7%

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

SOWELA Technical Community College, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a prominent institution dedicated to providing high-quality education and training to its students. Established in 1938, SOWELA has developed a strong reputation for its commitment to workforce development and community service. The college offers a variety of programs, including associate degrees and technical diplomas across numerous fields such as health sciences, business, and industrial technology. With a focus on hands-on learning and practical experience, SOWELA emphasizes skills that are directly applicable in the workforce, making it an attractive option for students looking to enter the job market quickly.

The college's mission is encapsulated in its motto, "Empowering Students for Success," which reflects its dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. SOWELA boasts modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling students to gain the practical skills needed in today's competitive job landscape. The faculty at SOWELA is composed of experienced professionals who are passionate about teaching and mentoring students, providing personalized attention and guidance. Additionally, SOWELA is known for its strong ties to local industries, which enhances students' employment opportunities upon graduation. With a vibrant campus culture that encourages student engagement and community involvement, SOWELA Technical Community College stands out as a leader in technical education in Louisiana.

Discussion on Key Metrics at SOWELA Technical Community College

SOWELA Technical Community College has shown significant trends in both student retention and graduation rates over recent years. The retention rate, which reflects the percentage of students who continue their studies at the institution from one year to the next, has gradually increased from approximately 43% in 2013 to about 60% in 2023. This upward trend is encouraging as it indicates that students are finding value in their education and are more likely to stay enrolled, which is crucial for the institution's reputation and funding.

Similarly, the graduation rates have also seen a notable improvement. The on-time graduation rate for undergraduate students rose from around 10% in 2013 to nearly 29% in 2023. This increase demonstrates the college's effectiveness in supporting students to complete their programs within the standard timeframe. Furthermore, the rate of students graduating within 150% of the expected time also shows an upward trajectory, reaching approximately 43% in 2023. These improvements may indicate the impact of enhanced academic advising, tutoring services, and other supportive resources the college may have implemented over the years.

Additionally, the tuition fees for in-state students have been relatively stable, with a slight increase from $3,243 in 2014 to $4,325 in 2023. However, the tuition for out-of-state students has experienced more volatility, reflecting broader trends in national higher education tuition, which can impact enrollment figures. The balanced tuition strategy might also be a factor contributing to the positive trends in retention and graduation rates, as affordability often plays a crucial role in students' ability to persist in their studies.

In conclusion, SOWELA Technical Community College's focus on improving student retention and graduation rates, while managing tuition costs, showcases its commitment to providing a supportive educational environment that encourages student success. This progress is vital for attracting future students and ensuring the institution's long-term viability.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Small city
Nearest major city
Baton Rouge, about 120 mi
Nearest international airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), about 130 mi
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Also known as
SOWELA
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Dr. Neil Aspinwall (Chancellor)
Phone
3374216565
City
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Address
3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate5015 international (1.0%)
Top 10 Associate majors by graduates
Instrumentation Technology/Technician
92
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other
92
Electrician
84
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
45
Business/Commerce, General
40
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
24
Information Technology
21
General Studies
21
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
16
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
14

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Data at SOWELA Technical Community College

The graduation data from SOWELA Technical Community College reveals significant trends in various fields of study for the year 2023. Notably, the highest number of graduates was recorded in Electrical programs, with 92 individuals earning their associate degrees. This may reflect the growing demand for skilled labor in the electrical industry, especially given the increasing investments in infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, which often require qualified technicians.

In the healthcare domain, the Registered Nursing program produced a substantial 44 graduates, alongside 26 from Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. The healthcare sector continues to experience a high demand for professionals, particularly in nursing, highlighting the importance of these programs in addressing workforce shortages amidst an aging population.

Interestingly, the data indicates a low representation of international students across all levels of degrees, with only one international graduate in the associate degree category for Culinary Arts and another in General Studies. This suggests potential barriers for international students in pursuing education at SOWELA, which could be worth investigating further to enhance diversity and inclusivity.

Overall, the data illustrates SOWELA's strengths in technical and healthcare education, while also indicating areas for improvement to attract a more diverse student body, particularly from international backgrounds. The trends observed here align with broader labor market needs, underscoring the college's role in preparing students for careers in high-demand fields.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Engineering technologieshas 192 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Instrumentation Technology/Technician.$54,883
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other.$86,981
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General.-
Construction trades has 84 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Electrician.$53,028
Health professionshas 78 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Surgical Technology/Technologist.-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$74,341
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.$48,435
Businesshas 54 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Business/Commerce, General.$29,784
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.-
Liberal arts has 21 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
General Studies.-
Computer and information sciencehas 21 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Information Technology.-
Homeland security has 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.-
Visual and Performing artshas 10 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Design and Visual Communications, General.-
Science technologies has 8 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Chemical Technology/Technician.-
Culinary has 7 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Culinary Arts/Chef Training.-
Precision production has 6 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist.-
Mechanic and repair has 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician.-
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other.-

Students

3,446 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 49:51 · Freshman retention 59.4%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (3,446)

White
2,244 · 65.1%
Black
749 · 21.7%
Hispanic
186 · 5.4%
Two or more races
143 · 4.1%
International
43 · 1.2%
Asian
31 · 0.9%
Unknown
24 · 0.7%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
10.6%
18–19
25.0%
20–21
20.9%
22–24
14.8%
25 and over
28.6%

Data insights

Analysis of Student Demographics at SOWELA Technical Community College in 2023

The student demographic data from SOWELA Technical Community College for 2023 reveals a diverse student body across various classifications. Notably, the undergraduate new students comprise 646 individuals, with a gender distribution showing 51.7% male and 48.3% female, indicating a relatively balanced enrollment in this category.

In contrast, the undergraduate continuing students represent a significantly larger group of 1,790. This category also exhibits a female majority, with 53.8% of the students identifying as female. Such trends suggest a growing trend of female participation in higher education, reflecting broader societal shifts towards gender equity in academic pursuits.

The undergraduate transfer students, numbering 360, show an even higher female representation, with 56.4% identifying as female. This could imply that transfer students may be increasingly seeking supportive environments that foster their academic growth, perhaps influenced by the success of their female peers in the continuing student category.

The data on the graduate student population remains unavailable, leaving a gap in understanding the higher education pipeline. However, the overall trend indicates a shift towards a more inclusive academic environment, with women making significant strides in various educational pathways.

As institutions continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these demographic trends develop in future years, particularly in response to ongoing discussions around educational accessibility and equity.

Age Demographics of SOWELA Technical Community College Students

The age composition of students at SOWELA Technical Community College reveals interesting trends that reflect broader societal patterns in education. The data indicates a significant concentration of students in the younger age brackets, particularly those under 24 years old. Specifically, nearly 68% of the total student population is under 24, which aligns with national data showing that younger individuals are increasingly pursuing higher education.

The traditional college age group, 18-21 years old, comprises a substantial portion of the student body, with the 18-19 age range alone accounting for approximately 33% of total enrollment. This trend may be influenced by community colleges being a popular choice for recent high school graduates seeking affordable education options.

As age increases, the number of students declines markedly. For instance, the enrollment of students aged 30 and older represents a small fraction of the total, with only 12% of students falling within this category. This decline could be attributed to various factors, including career commitments and personal responsibilities that often limit older individuals' ability to pursue full-time education.

Moreover, the gender ratio within these age groups is noteworthy. Female students outnumber male students in all age categories except for the under 18 group. This trend is consistent with national statistics indicating a growing female presence in higher education.

Overall, these findings suggest a vibrant and youthful college environment at SOWELA, with ongoing implications for program development and support services tailored to the needs of young adults.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates1.2%

43 in 2025 · 2.1% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 2.1%2017: 0.3%2018: 0.4%2019: 0.5%2020: 0.9%2021: 1.2%2022: 1.1%2023: 1.1%2024: 1.1%2025: 1.2%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Trends in International Student Enrollment at SOWELA Technical Community College

The data on international student enrollment at SOWELA Technical Community College reveals interesting trends over the years. From the year 2008 to 2023, the number of undergraduate students has generally increased, peaking at 4,058 in 2020. However, the number of international students has fluctuated significantly during this period.

In the early years, international enrollment was exceptionally low, with only six students in 2008, representing 0.37% of the total undergraduate population. This percentage remained minimal until around 2016, when there was a notable spike to 79 international students, or 2.12% of the undergraduate total. This increase may reflect broader trends in higher education, where international student interest in U.S. institutions has grown due to various factors including academic reputation and cultural diversity.

Despite this spike, the following years show a decline in the proportion of international students relative to the total undergraduate population. By 2023, the percentage of international students had dropped to 1.07%, indicating potential challenges in attracting and retaining international talent. Factors such as changing immigration policies, global health crises, and shifting perceptions of study abroad opportunities may have influenced these trends.

Overall, SOWELA Technical Community College's experience mirrors the larger narrative in U.S. higher education, where institutions continue to seek ways to enhance their appeal to international students amid a competitive global landscape. This ongoing challenge underscores the importance of strategic initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion within academic environments.

Cost

2025 cost per year

$16,107

Undergraduate tuition
$4,305
Room and board
$11,802
Tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose -43% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 30%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$113M

Government grants and contracts
$25.4M22.5%
Tuition and fees
$6.9M6.1%
Gifts and private grants
$2.1M1.8%
Investment return
$848K0.8%
Sales and services of educational activities
$33K0.0%
Other
$77.4M68.7%

Expenses$48.9M

Instruction
$22.1M45.2%
Institutional support
$10.6M21.6%
Student services
$4.5M9.2%
Academic support
$4.5M9.1%
Scholarships
$3.6M7.4%
Other
$3.6M7.4%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$54,660peers $68,588
Professor
$72,890peers $79,972
Associate professor
$65,112peers $69,677
Assistant professor
$55,931peers $62,785
Instructor
$53,293peers $61,593

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · EADA

No athlete data available for 2025.

No athlete data available for 2024.

No athlete data available for 2023.

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable schools near SOWELA Technical Community College:

  1. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Ranked 185) - A comprehensive university known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and business.

  2. University of Houston (Ranked 133) - A major public research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

  3. Rice University (Ranked 17) - A prestigious private research university recognized for its small student-to-faculty ratio and strong emphasis on undergraduate education.

  4. Tulane University of Louisiana (Ranked 73) - A private research university with a strong emphasis on public service and community engagement.

  5. Texas A & M University-College Station (Ranked 47) - Known for its military tradition, engineering programs, and agricultural sciences.

  6. The University of Texas at Austin (Ranked 32) - A leading public research university with a diverse array of academic programs and a vibrant campus life.

  7. Southern Methodist University (Ranked 89) - A private university known for its strong business, law, and engineering programs.

These institutions provide a variety of educational opportunities and contribute significantly to the academic landscape in the region.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Data at SOWELA Technical Community College

The crime data from SOWELA Technical Community College reveals a relatively safe environment over the years. Starting from 2013 to 2023, the majority of the years reported zero incidents, indicating a commendable situation regarding campus safety. The only recorded incidents occurred in 2018, 2020, and 2022, with a total of one crime each year.

When examining the averages per 1000 students, the crime rate was notably low, with only 0.30 in 2018, 0.25 in 2020, and 0.33 in 2022. These rates translate to alarmingly low percentages of criminal activity, suggesting that the campus maintains a secure atmosphere for its students and staff.

The types of crimes recorded include gun-related arrests, which highlights the importance of vigilance and preventative measures regarding firearm possession on campus. However, the low frequency of such incidents suggests effective policies and community awareness towards maintaining safety.

In contrast to many institutions that face higher crime rates, SOWELA's data exemplifies the potential for community colleges to foster a secure learning environment. Continuous monitoring and proactive measures will be essential to uphold this trend and ensure the safety of all individuals on campus. To delve deeper into the calculations of crime rates, more information can be found at this link: Crime Rate Calculation.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.