Despite federal funding uncertainty, Louisiana community colleges see enrollment boost

Long considered Louisiana’s “best-kept secret,” the state’s community college system has seen a post-pandemic enrollment resurgence .

Nearly a third of Louisiana’s 280,000 college students last year attended one of the state’s 12 community and technical colleges, working toward a two-year degree or a technical certification that costs less and offers a faster path to a job than a four-year college degree. And the number of community college graduates has nearly tripled over the last decade, reaching about 38,000 graduates last year.

The students, who tend to be older and more racially diverse than traditional college students, can train for jobs in everything from welding to nursing and hospitality. They can also take adult education classes in English language, reading and other core