Colleges in Louisiana

If America is the land of opportunity, then Louisiana is the state of opportunity. The state is home to over 150 colleges and universities, making it a haven for those who value higher education. From Shreveport to Baton Rouge to New Orleans and beyond, Louisiana colleges offers students an almost endless variety of ways to further their education. With eight public universities located throughout the state, students in all parts of Cajun Country can pursue exciting and interesting careers.

Louisiana schools are often ranked in US News and World Report's annual list of America's Best Colleges. Some of the colleges in Louisiana that seem to always find themselves on the list include the University of Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Tech University, Nicholls State University and many others. McNeese State University as well as the Tigers of Louisiana State University are also well-respected for their academic and research programs, and are two of the more popular schools in the state. Centenary College and Xavier University of Louisiana are also highly considered by many, giving schools in Louisiana a national and international reputation for academic excellence. Among private schools, Tulane University is consistently ranked high by leading academic experts for its degree programs as well as research facilities and programs, giving Louisiana a number of public and private schools among the nation's elite.

In addition to four-year colleges, the state is also home to a number of community colleges and technical schools offering a variety of programs to let students train quickly for well-paying occupations. Community colleges train students in a variety of areas including business management, nursing, paralegal studies, emergency medical technician and more. Many of the technical schools concentrate on medical and technology careers such as medical assisting, computer network security and medical billing and coding. Some of the more popular community colleges and technical schools in the state include Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College and Northshore Technical College.

With a culture as diverse as any state in the nation, Louisiana students can choose from an almost endless variety of degrees. From Bachelor's degrees to Doctoral programs, four-year colleges provide chances for academic and personal growth along the way. Some of the more popular degrees pursued by Louisiana students include Education, Social Work, Information Technology and Business Management. With the impact of Hurricane Katrina still being felt years later in parts of the state, many students choose to pursue degrees that will allow them to give back to their communities and help those who need it the most. Colleges offering Education and Social Work degrees often have students involved in countless community projects as part of their studies, letting them earn college credit by helping rebuild homes and lives for local residents. Many students speak of these experiences being life-changing, helping them better understand what they have while helping others regain what they've lost or possibly never had at any point in their lives. These internships allow for new perspectives on life as well as chances to network with potential employers while gaining crucial job experience.

Economy

Despite the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina and various oil spills have had on the environment within the last several years, Louisiana has shown its resiliency by never giving up and coming back better than ever. With tourism being such a vital part of the state's economy, much emphasis has been placed on rebuilding New Orleans and the French Quarter. Since many tourists flock to New Orleans for the legendary food dishes, there have been plenty of job opportunities for those skilled in culinary arts. Technical and community colleges that offer training programs in cooking are trying to keep up with the demand of local restaurants for skilled cooks, pastry chefs and other occupations.

Since much of the infrastructure of New Orleans was devastated by Katrina, there has been a need for those skilled in Building Trades and related fields. The demand for carpenters, plumbers, electricians and welders has never been greater, with many companies offering excellent pay, benefits and even relocation assistance to those who are willing to live in Cajun Country and help in the rebuilding process.

One growing area of employment that has been a big boost to the state's economy has been the television and film industry. Called by some the "Hollywood of the South," New Orleans has seen a dramatic rise in the number of media companies flocking to the area to produce films and television series. As a result, many jobs are available for photographers, audiovisual technicians and cinematographers. The state's health care industry is also thriving, with many community colleges and technical schools graduating workers trained as Pharmacy Assistants, Medical Assistants and Medical Coders and Billers. With much of the population of Louisiana living in low-income conditions, the need for health care workers to go out into the field and assist clients is also growing. Home health aides, Practical Nurses and Physical Therapists are needed to go into client's homes and assist with outpatient care. Counselors are also needed to assist residents with such tasks as finding employment, parenting skills and day-to-day living skills such as establishing budgets and grocery shopping.

Louisiana is a state whose economy was virtually destroyed by a natural disaster, yet has used the power of higher education and a dedication to success to bring itself back from the brink of economic disaster. By continuing to use its most important resource of colleges and universities, the state is continuing to rebound from a disaster that would have devastated most areas. With schools coming together and determining what course of action needed to be taken, residents could see where the greatest need was and be trained accordingly. For example, if there was a need in a particular part of the state for nurses, colleges were able to work with state officials and ensure training programs were put into place allowing for the training of new workers. By overcoming nearly impossible odds, Louisiana has shown the nation and world how to use education to succeed.