South Louisiana Community College

What Is It Known For?

South Louisiana Community College, a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System traces its roots to Louisiana’s early trade schools of the 1930s. Founded officially in 1997 through Act 1369, SLCC has grown into a comprehensive educational network serving eight parishes in the Acadiana region.

Through its 2012 merger with local technical colleges, SLCC now operates multiple campuses offering associate degrees, technical diplomas, and professional certificates to students across southern Louisiana.

You can choose from more than 40 different fields of study. In Spring 2024, enrollment reached 4,481 students, reflecting a 4.8% increase from the previous year, highlighting the college’s growing impact in the region.

Degrees & Certifications

South Louisiana Community College provides a wide selection of academic programs, including associate degrees, technical diplomas, and Certificates of Technical Studies.

The school has over 40 programs in the following areas:

  • Business & Administration
  • Career Readiness
  • General Studies & Criminal Justice
  • Healthcare
  • IT & Electronics
  • Online
  • STEM (pre-engineering)
  • Technical, Construction, Trades

High school students can take advantage of Dual Enrollment, which lets them earn credits toward both their high school diploma and a college degree or industry certification by enrolling in college-level courses.

Class Schedules

The school offers flexible class schedules, including online programs in fields like Business, Criminal Justice, and Health Information Technology. For those who prefer in-person learning, day, evening, and weekend classes are available to accommodate different schedules.

Some programs also include hands-on learning opportunities through internships, externships, or co-op education. These experiences are arranged in partnership with employers, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings before completing their programs.

Is It a Good School?

Yes, South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) is a strong choice for students. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which ensures it meets high academic standards.

Acceptance Rate

SLCC has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admission policy. This means the school welcomes all students who meet basic requirements.

How Much Does Tuition Cost?

For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition and fees at SLCC range from 1,054to1,054t**o4,210. Costs depend on factors like full-time or part-time enrollment and whether a student is classified as dependent or independent. Keep in mind that these figures are estimates, and the actual cost of attendance can vary each term based on enrollment and other factors.

To get a clearer picture of what you might pay, SLCC offers a helpful net price calculator.

Programs & Courses

Business

  • Business Administration

Criminal Justice & Law

  • Criminal Justice

Healthcare

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nursing, LPN to RN
  • Nursing, Practical (PN)
  • Nursing, Registered (RN)
  • Phlebotomy Tech
  • Physical Therapy Aide
  • Medical Administrative Assistant with EHR
  • Medical Billing & Coding
  • Pharmacy Technician (ASHP)

Professional Services

  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts

Skilled Trades

  • Commercial Diving
  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration
  • Plumbing
  • Welding
  • Precision Machining
  • Automotive Technology
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Diesel Powered Equipment Technology

Technology

  • Application Software Development
  • Information Technology
  • Drafting & Design Technology

Campus Locations

Lafayette 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506

Reviews

Based on reviews in Google, South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) struggles with severe and persistent administrative dysfunction, particularly in communication and financial services, which significantly overshadows the positive aspects of its academic environment.

Overall Score: 3.1/5 Stars

Common Praises

Quality of Instructors and Learning Environment: Instructors and teaching staff are frequently described as “great,” “excellent,” “qualified,” and “educated.” The school offers a “great learning environment” with small class sizes and professional attention to detail, leading to an enjoyable academic experience for many.

Campus Facilities: Some reviewers praise the school as beautiful and clean, with a positive atmosphere where students and staff are generally willing to help.

Registration Ease (Inconsistent): One recent student noted that registering and starting classes was “great and quite easy.”

Successful Transfer: The college is viewed by some as a good place to obtain initial credits before transferring to another institution.

Common Criticisms

Catastrophic Communication Failure: This is the most prevalent and severe criticism. Multiple reviewers state that nobody ever answers the phones in any department, calling the situation “notorious” and impossible. When staff do answer, students are often forwarded to voicemail or—in one case—hung up on, leading to frustration, wasted time, and an inability to get basic information or assistance.

Financial Aid Department Incompetence and Misconduct: The Financial Aid department is by far the most criticized area. Reviewers describe staff as being the “worst group of people” to deal with, frequently losing paperwork, mixing up information, and being rude or having an attitude. Specific, serious complaints include a staff member allegedly questioning a single mother’s income and a veteran being improperly charged a large balance despite the GI Bill covering 100% of tuition, forcing the veteran to take out a loan.

Severe Parking Issues: Parking is consistently described as “horrible.” Students complain about the lack of spots, even when arriving an hour early, and having to drive around endlessly due to an additional building being added without sufficient new parking.

Administrative Disorganization: The school is broadly criticized for being “very unorganized.” Students report transcripts being lost multiple times, being bounced between different offices (e.g., Student Accounts and Registrar) to pick up a simple transcript, and campus closures not being communicated to testing centers, leading to missed appointments.

Momentum

The momentum is dominated by ongoing, high-impact administrative failures. While some positive remarks about instructors exist, recent reviews (from 4 and 6 months ago) still highlight the critical issues: rude and unhelpful staff during registration and severe misconduct/incompetence within the financial aid department. The communication failure (not answering the phone) and parking problems are decades-long complaints that appear to be unresolved. Despite a brief mention of improved organization during a past transition, the consistent reports of lost paperwork, unreturned calls, and financial aid issues demonstrate deep, systemic disorganization that continues to plague the student experience.