SOWELA Leads Southwest Louisiana in Graduate Earnings, Ranks Top Three in State

Students at SOWELA Technical Community College have another reason to celebrate. SOWELA graduates earn the highest median salaries in Southwest Louisiana and rank third among all public institutions statewide in terms of median earnings, according to the latest data published by the Department of Education, which was compiled for the new earnings indicator.   

“Our most recent PR tagline states ‘skilled trades – better paydays,’ and this new data from the U.S. Department of Education substantiates that SOWELA’s graduates earn a median salary higher than any graduates in any other two-year college in Louisiana,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “Furthermore, this new report shows that the four-year post-graduation salaries of our graduates are only surpassed by two public Louisiana four-year colleges/universities. This is great news for those students and their parents who are trying to decide what type of higher education training and/or program they should pursue. A two-year college education that provides the pathway to a median salary that ranks third among all public higher education institutions in Louisiana should help make the decision about which college to attend much easier. This is not your granddaddy’s old trade school!” 

Among SOWELA programs, some of the highest earnings based on graduate surveys include Chemical Laboratory (average salary of $72,095.50), Process Technology (average salary of $67,447.29) and Nursing – RN (average salary of $59,496.73).  

SOWELA’s programs are built in direct response to the workforce needs of the region and the state of Louisiana. Every academic program is supported by an industry advisory council that meets throughout the year to ensure curriculum, training equipment and student competencies align with employer expectations. This collaboration helps ensure that students graduate prepared for their first day on the job. 

The Department of Education’s new earnings indicator is part of recent updates to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The tool provides prospective students and families with important financial outcomes, such as institutional average earnings, based on the colleges they select. If an institution’s average graduate earnings fall below those of the average high school graduate, FAFSA now issues a “lower earnings” disclosure.  

At $57,517 (inflation-adjusted to 2025), the median earnings of SOWELA graduates four years after completion are among the highest of any public college or university in the state. SOWELA’s strong performance offers students positive, transparent data when evaluating college options.