Colleges in Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Lake Charles, Louisiana (2 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $12,205 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 44.9%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 78% of applicants.
The median net price in Lake Charles runs about $2,606 lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $14,810.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Lake Charles, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$12,205
After aid
Median grad rate
44.9%
6-year
Median admission rate
78%
Median enrollment
1,522
Undergrad
All colleges in Lake Charles
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA | LA | Public, 4-year | $12,493 | 47.0% | 78% | 5,005 | Complete | |
| SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA | LA | Public, 2-year | $7,525 | 42.7% | Not available | 2,966 | Partial | |
| Avery James College Lake Charles, LA | LA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $18,360 | 28.6% | Not available | 78 | Partial | |
| Stage One-The Hair School Lake Charles, LA | LA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $11,916 | 72.4% | Not available | 66 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Lake Charles operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Avery James CollegeNet price: $18,360Grad: 28.6%
- Stage One-The Hair SchoolNet price: $11,916Grad: 72.4%
Public (2)
Public colleges in Lake Charles are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- McNeese State UniversityNet price: $12,493Grad: 47.0%
- SOWELA Technical Community CollegeNet price: $7,525Grad: 42.7%
Top programs in Lake Charles
Most-completed programs across Lake Charles colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business14.8% of degrees
- Health professions14.7% of degrees
- Liberal arts12.9% of degrees
- Engineering tech11.0% of degrees
- Construction trades6.7% of degrees
- Engineering4.1% of degrees
- Parks & recreation4.0% of degrees
- Psychology3.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Lake Charles
Q.How many colleges are in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Lake Charles, Louisiana that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Lake Charles?
By undergraduate enrollment, McNeese State University is the largest institution in Lake Charles with roughly 5,005 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Lake Charles?
Based on average net price after aid, SOWELA Technical Community College is the most affordable institution in Lake Charles at $7,525 per year.
Q.Which Lake Charles college has the highest graduation rate?
Stage One-The Hair School reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Lake Charles institutions at 72.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Lake Charles?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Lake Charles is $12,205 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Lake Charles?
Across Lake Charles colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Health professions, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Lake Charles?
Yes — Lake Charles includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Louisiana
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Lake Charles that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.