Nursing at SOWELA Technical Community College

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 2,979 in Lake Charles, LA.

Program Analysis

SOWELA Technical Community College's Nursing program produces graduates earning $72,690/yr — within striking distance of the $69,474 national average for this trade.

With a 92.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #313 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places SOWELA Technical Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

85 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
85
Score
86
High End
Earnings $72,690/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$787K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
92.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at SOWELA Technical Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at SOWELA Technical Community College?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. SOWELA Technical Community College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — SOWELA Technical Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing SOWELA Technical Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. SOWELA Technical Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →