With inflation still weighing on families and student loan repayment changes raising concerns, more people are rethinking how they pursue higher education.
Chandler Leboeuf, Vice President of Education for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, says enrollment is climbing at technical colleges and universities as students look for faster, more affordable ways to boost their take-home pay.
"Individuals who want to provide stability for their families and change their trajectory quickly, they are attracted to our programs that offer such."
Certifications in high-demand fields can be earned in a shorter time frame and often lead to salaries that rival those of traditional four-year graduates.
Lebouf says the mindset is shifting. A bachelor’s degree is no longer seen as the only path to success. Skilled and technical careers are proving just as lucrative.
"As we look ahead to the future, the skilled and technical fields will remain vital parts of a global economy."
Leboeuf also says the flexibility of community colleges offers a wide variety of students the chance at higher education. With campuses offering things like child care, High-Set instruction, and class offerings nights and weekends, the system of schools is itself pivotal in the lives of so many Louisianians.