Rankings are Based on Cost & Financing, Education Outcomes and Career Outcomes
(Lake Charles, Louisiana) – The national college review website WalletHub has ranked SOWELA Technical Community College as the #1 community college in Louisiana. WalletHub’s rankings are based on “three key dimensions, including 1) Cost & Financing, 2) Education Outcomes and 3) Career Outcomes.”
“It is very exciting to be ranked, again, as one of the best community colleges in Louisiana,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “Having this distinction legitimizes the hard work and dedication put forth by our faculty and staff who provide quality instructional programming and services to our most important asset – the students. SOWELA strives to be creative, innovative, and cutting edge in all that we do, so having an outside organization review our data and then rank our performance reinforces the important economic value the College provides to our region and the great workforce opportunities we provide our students.”
SOWELA ranks in the top 40% of community colleges nationally. The entire national college rankings can be found at wallethub.com/edu/e/best-worst-community-colleges/15076.
SOWELA recently achieved its highest enrollment, with over 4,000 students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester, an 8.44% year-over-year increase. In addition, the College exceeded its 2023/2024 completer goal by 543, which is 24.75% over target and a 19.2% year-to-date surplus.
These achievements can be attributed to several reasons, including a student-first focus, robust student support services, no increase in tuition or fees for the past nine years, and instructional programs tied directly to the region’s workforce needs.
SOWELA offers over 30 programs and 60+ industry-based credentials including Industrial Instrumentation, Machine Tool Technology, Business Administration, Drafting and Design Technology, Surgical Technology, Accounting Technology, HVAC and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training.
Registration is open for currently enrolled and prospective students in SOWELA’s “Next Start” initiative. “Next Start” allows current students to add another course to their Fall 2024 schedule or for new students to sign up for Fall classes, including general education and automotive courses. Enrollment for the Next Start option is open now and will end on Monday, October 7, 2024. Visit www.sowela.edu/next-start to learn more. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, online, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for 80 years and has locations in Jennings, Lake Charles and Oakdale, Louisiana.