Accounting at SOWELA Technical Community College

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Associate Degree · Accounting and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 2,979 students in Lake Charles, LA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,019/yr, roughly in line with the $35,807 national median for Accounting. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 38.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Accounting graduates.

At #114 out of 176 programs, SOWELA Technical Community College's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $31,019 to $31,658 over five years (2% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Accounting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
60
Score
62
High End
Earnings $31,019/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$325K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
38.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$8,530
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,658
2% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Accounting Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Accounting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering business & office.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at SOWELA Technical Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting at SOWELA Technical Community College?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but SOWELA Technical Community College trails the majority of Accounting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Accounting to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 62% of Accounting tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. SOWELA Technical Community College's 60/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Accounting program at SOWELA Technical Community College?
Beyond SOWELA Technical Community College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Accounting careers — including Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Accounting graduates from SOWELA Technical Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (451,900 annual openings) works in favor of Accounting graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →