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 11 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 2022, students completed 8,980 doctorates at colleges and universities near Lake Charles. That was an increase of 19% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
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
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
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 4,444 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 1,820 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,820 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 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
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 13,083 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 6,294 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 2022, 3,287 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,646 bachelor's degrees, and 77 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,881
Completions By Degree
5,010
Est. Online Degree Availability
82%
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 2022, 1,017 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 64 associate degrees, 203 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,202
Completions By Degree
1,284
Est. Online Degree Availability
52%
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 2022, about 16,582 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Lake Charles, and about 2,659 associate degrees were completed.
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
2,631
Completions By Degree
452
Est. Online Degree Availability
10%
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
2,528
Completions By Degree
333
Est. Online Degree Availability
55%
Completions by Program Area
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
4,804
Completions By Degree
699
Est. Online Degree Availability
62%
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
2,274
Completions By Degree
341
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
2,887
Completions By Degree
586
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
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 full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,458
Completions By Degree
248
Est. Online Degree Availability
54%
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
- SOWELA Technical Community College
- Louisiana State University-Eunice
- South Louisiana Community College
- Lamar State College-Port Arthur
- Lamar Institute of Technology
- Lamar State College-Orange
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 2022, there were about 529,477 jobs in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Lake Charles was below the national average, at 3.5%. There were 65,809 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 $18.38.