SOWELA Technical Community College is a public community college located in Lake Charles, LA. It offers 74 programs for degree/certificate. (Of that, the distance learning opportunity (online degrees/courses) is given to 6 programs).

It is accredited by Council on Occupational Education.

The 2024 tuition & fees of SOWELA Technical Community College is $4,265 for Louisiana residents and $4,265 for out-of-state students. Its tuition & fees is cheaper than that of Louisiana public community colleges' average ($4,874).

The school has 3,268 students, which is higher than Louisiana community collleges' average (1,786). In addition, 511 students have enrolled online exclusively. The students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1, which is lower than the average ratio (19 to 1) of Louisiana community colleges.


2024 Tuition & Fees

The following table shows the 2023-2024 tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living costs at SOWELA Technical Community College. Then, we compare its costs to Louisiana community colleges and all U.S. community colleges.

In addition, the chart shows tuition trends over the last 5 years. You can check more comprehensive tuition information on the cost of attendance page.

2024 Cost Of Attendance - SOWELA
Louisiana ResidentsOut-of-State
Tuition & Fees$4,265$4,265
Books & Supplies$1,300
Off-Campus Living Costs$15,938
Average Financial Aid$4,008
Cost of Attendance$21,503$21,503
After Financial Aid$17,495$17,495
SOWELA Tuition Comparison to National and State Average
Louisiana ResidentsOut-of-State Students
SOWELA Technical Community College$4,265$4,265
Public Community Colleges in Louisiana$4,207$4,874
Public Community Colleges in U.S.$4,992$8,639

Offered Degrees/Programs By Area of Study

SOWELA Technical Community College offers Certificate and Associate's programs. The following table summarizes the number of offered programs by degree types.

Offered Programs and Online Availability
CertificateAssociate'sBachelor's
Online Programs42NOT OFFERED
Total Programs5420NOT OFFERED

The following tables list each major program along with offered degrees and online availability. The number in each column indicates the number of awarded degrees and/or certificates of the program. It includes completers through on-campus classes, partially online classes, and only online classes.

CertificateAssociateBachelor
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture OperationsNOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Forest Technology/Technician2 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Information Technology21 completers
20 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Culinary Arts/Chef Training45 completers
7 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Instrumentation Technology/Technician88 completers
82 completers
NOT OFFERED
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (other)89 completers
89 completers
NOT OFFERED
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician24 completers
13 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
General Studies142 completers
26 completers
NOT OFFERED
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (other)NOT OFFERED 1 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Chemical Technology/Technician8 completers
8 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies18 completers
18 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Carpentry/Carpenter9 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer17 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Electrician102 completers
92 completers
NOT OFFERED
Building/Property MaintenanceNOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Plumbing Technology/Plumber1 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies6 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Small Engine Mechanics and Repair Technology/Technician5 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician7 completers
4 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist13 completers
4 completers
NOT OFFERED
Welding Technology/Welder44 completers
NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Surgical Technology/TechnologistNOT OFFERED 10 completers
NOT OFFERED
Sterile Processing Technology/Technician NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Registered Nursing/Registered NurseNOT OFFERED 44 completers
NOT OFFERED
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training55 completers
26 completers
NOT OFFERED
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Business/Commerce32 completers
34 completers
NOT OFFERED
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping21 completers
14 completers
NOT OFFERED
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science8 completers
5 completers
NOT OFFERED

Student Population

There are 3,268 students at SOWELA Technical Community College including both full-time and part-time students. By gender, 1,449 male students and 1,619 female students are attending the school.

The following table shows the total number of students by gender and attending status at the school. You can check more enrollment information of the school.

Student Population
TotalFull-TimePart-time
Total3,0681,4701,598
Male Students1,449753696
Female Students1,619717902

Distance Learning (Online Degree/Program) Enrollment

Of the 3,268 total students, 1,411 students enrolled through distance learning (511 students enrolled exclusively and 900 enrolled in some online courses).

Distance Learning Enrollment Distribution
Total Enrollment3,268
Enrolled Exclusively in Online Courses511
Enrolled in Some But Not All Online Courses900
Not Enrolled In Any Online Courses1,857

School Profile and Academic Overview

The following table shows directory information and summarizes important academic and admission characteristics for SOWELA Technical Community College.

Directory Information and Key Academic Statistics
Type2-4 year, public
Address3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA
Phone337-421-6565
Tuition & Fees (2023-2024) »In-State$4,265
Out-of-State$4,265
Student Population »3,268 Total Enrollment
Graduation Rate »40%
Transfer-out Rate11%
Retention Rate60% (Full-time)
35% (Part-time)
Average Financial Aid »$4,008
Students to Faculty16:1 (6.25%)