Career Training Path › Louisiana › River Parishes Community College
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, Louisiana · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 925 West Edenborne Parkway, Gonzales, LA 70737 · Phone: (225) 743-8500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
River Parishes Community College is a public trade and career school in Gonzales, Louisiana, offering medical assistant, LPN, and HVAC programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, River Parishes Community College has a 29.6% completion rate, below the state average of 59.2%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $37,848 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid (FAFSA/Pell) can be used here, and about 40.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $28,970 | $36,320 | $38,550 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $45,810 | $57,470 | $61,220 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $36,950 | $58,650 | $65,990 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $42,810 | $62,250 | $77,310 |
| Medical records specialists | $32,900 | $44,610 | $61,150 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Louisiana (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 91 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 35 | not reported | $38,289 | $13,228 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
River Parishes Community College is a public community college in Gonzales, Louisiana, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV). The campus offers 7 program families in the trades and career fields, with the largest completion numbers in medical assistant programs, LPN/LVN programs, and HVAC schools.
Of the 1,880 undergraduates enrolled, 169 completed a trade-related program. The overall completion rate is 29.6%, below the state average of 59.2%. Median debt among graduates is $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,848. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 40.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of students from lower-income backgrounds.
This campus may suit students seeking entry into healthcare support and skilled-trade fields such as medical assisting, practical nursing, or HVAC work, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Given the below-average completion rate, prospective students, including career changers, should ask the school directly about program structure, schedules, and support services. To verify accreditation status and review updated federal outcome data, contact the school at (225) 743-8500, visit rpcc.edu, or check the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing for this institution.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
River Parishes Community College offers 7 program families, with the most completions in medical assistant programs, LPN/LVN programs, and HVAC schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 29.6%, which is below the Louisiana state average of 59.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $12,000, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,848, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (225) 743-8500 or visit rpcc.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state and federal funding compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review official outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?436304.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specifically address career-changer fit; however, program areas like medical assisting, LPN, and HVAC are commonly pursued by adults seeking new careers, so contacting the school for schedule details is recommended.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach River Parishes Community College at (225) 743-8500 or through its website at https://www.rpcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Louisiana
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- Northshore Technical Community CollegeLacombe, LA · 40% completion
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See all trade and career schools in Louisiana or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.