Colleges Near Lake Charles, Louisiana
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Lake Charles? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 70 miles of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
There are at least 10 colleges serving the area, including 1 private college or university, 2 public colleges and universities, and 6 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Lake Charles, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Lake Charles, Louisiana Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Lake Charles, Louisiana have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 9,112 doctorates at colleges and universities near Lake Charles. That was an increase of 21% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Lake Charles, Louisiana
There are at least 1 school offering degrees near Lake Charles, Louisiana, and 1 is a four-year private college or university where about 5,117 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 2,171 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,171 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Lake Charles, Louisiana
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near Lake Charles, Louisiana. About 13,003 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 6,286 degrees were completed at public colleges near Lake Charles. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lamar University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Lamar University. In 2023, 3,336 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,598 bachelor's degrees, and 74 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,075
Completions By Degree
5,008
Est. Online Degree Availability
76%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
McNeese State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at McNeese State University. In 2023, 1,031 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 58 associate degrees, 189 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,928
Completions By Degree
1,278
Est. Online Degree Availability
65%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Lake Charles, Louisiana
There are 6 community colleges near Lake Charles, Louisiana where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 17,053 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Lake Charles, and about 2,814 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
South Louisiana Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,738
Completions By Degree
732
Est. Online Degree Availability
54%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
SOWELA Technical Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,796
Completions By Degree
501
Est. Online Degree Availability
8%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lamar State College-Orange is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,446
Completions By Degree
289
Est. Online Degree Availability
42%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lamar State College-Port Arthur is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,567
Completions By Degree
359
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lamar Institute of Technology is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,971
Completions By Degree
552
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Louisiana State University-Eunice is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,535
Completions By Degree
381
Est. Online Degree Availability
59%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Lake Charles, Louisiana
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Lake Charles, Louisiana? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Lake Charles-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,577. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Lake Charles is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Lake Charles, Louisiana
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Lake Charles, Louisiana is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Lake Charles, Louisiana here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- South Louisiana Community College
- SOWELA Technical Community College
- Lamar State College-Orange
- Lamar State College-Port Arthur
- Lamar Institute of Technology
- Louisiana State University-Eunice
Lake Charles, Louisiana Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Lake Charles? What's the Lake Charles, Louisiana job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2023, there were about 555,008 jobs in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. From 2022-2023, job growth in Lake Charles was below the national average, at 2.2%. There were 70,457 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Lake Charles do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $19.48.