Academic Programs & Learning

How does River Parishes Community College in Gonzales, LA support student success? Retention rates, FTE analysis, and more.

What About Academic Quality at River Parishes Community College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

23:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

61%

Students continuing to second year

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Part-Time Retention

33%

Part-time students continuing

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How River Parishes Community College Compares

Retention at River Parishes Community College runs at 61%, fairly typical for the trade-college space. The 23:1 student-faculty ratio suggests an institution operating at familiar academic-quality benchmarks rather than pushing them.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 23:1 means there are approximately 23 students for every faculty member. This higher ratio may mean larger class sizes but can also indicate efficient resource utilization.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 52% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at River Parishes Community College?

Total Teaching Staff
60
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
23:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
32%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (93%) Non-Tenure (97%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors 8
Associate Professors 5
Assistant Professors 4
Instructors & Lecturers 38
Other Instructional Staff 5

Understanding Faculty Composition

River Parishes Community College's teaching staff of 60 includes faculty at various academic ranks. Tenured professors make up 93% of instructional staff. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students at River Parishes Community College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
786
of 2,597 total (30.3%)
Some Online Courses
652
of 2,597 total (25.1%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (LA) 777 (98.9%)
Other US states 7 (0.9%)
Outside the US 2 (0.3%)
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About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

99% of River Parishes Community College's exclusively online students are located in LA. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load at River Parishes Community College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

1,684
Total FTE
1,684
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:64.8% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

The FTE calculation at River Parishes Community College provides a normalized enrollment figure — useful for understanding how many students are engaged on a full-time basis.

How Intensively Do Students Study at River Parishes Community College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

64.8%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate-Low

Significant part-time enrollment, ideal for working professionals and students with other responsibilities.

Undergraduate FTE
1,684
Total FTE
1,684
Headcount
2,597

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

With an FTE-to-headcount ratio of 0.65, River Parishes Community College's enrollment intensity reveals how committed students are to full-time study.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact River Parishes Community College directly at 2257438500 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 23:1 supports personalized learning
  • 60 instructional staff with 93% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from LA (99% in-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at River Parishes Community College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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