Last Updated: May 30, 2024
Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana
Some of the top institutions in the country are located in Louisiana. This is one of the greatest places to pursue a degree because of the high caliber of education provided by the universities and the practice-based approach they use. The state also provides candidates with a wide range of job possibilities and well-paying career prospects.
As of May 2022, the average yearly compensation for registered nurses in Louisiana was around $76,000, whereas the range for nurse practitioners, midwives, and anesthesiologists was between $179,000 and $120,000.
Choosing the Best Nursing School
Applicants need to consider a few things before selecting one of Louisiana's numerous nursing schools. These variables include the school's standing in recent years, its accreditation, and even its pass percentage on the NCLEX. Candidates will be able to create a list of colleges that offer the program and specialization they need, and then they can use the tuition fees of those colleges to narrow down their choices.
Candidates will be able to review the institution's NCLEX pass rate after this is made clear. One should ideally choose the colleges with the highest pass rate because the majority of these institutions have a pass rate of 90% or more. Prior to applying to the university, they want to ascertain whether the program is accredited by the CCNE or ACEN.
Cost of Studying Nursing in Louisiana
Nursing tuition in Louisiana varies according to the kind of school and degree level a student is enrolled in. The cost of living in the state, whether or not they have to live on campus, the cost of transportation, and other factors are also taken into account. Students attending private schools typically pay more for their education than those attending public schools. Students can also evaluate the financial aid packages provided by the colleges that rank highest on their lists of preferred universities. It generally reduces the cost of living. Other aspects may vary depending on each person's special circumstances.
10 Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana
| Institution | Location | In-state Tuition Fee | Out-of-state Tuition Fee | NCLEX Pass Rate |
| Tulane University | New Orleans | $69,000 annually | $69,000 annually | NA |
| Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge | $12,000 annually | UG-$29,000 annually | 97% |
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston | $1,900 per credit hour | $5,600 per credit hour | 97% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette | $7,000 (22 credit hours) | $14,000 (22 credit hours) | 98.04% |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Baton Rouge | $700 per credit hours | $700 per credit hour | 96.99% |
| Grambling State University | Grambling | $8,000 (12 and above credit hours) | $12,000 (12 and above credit hours) | 100% |
| Nicholls State University | Thibodaux | $9,000 annually | $9,000 annually | 91.99% |
| Loyola University | New Orleans | $50,000 annually | $50,000 annually | NA |
| Chamberlain University | New Orleans | $600-$800 per credit | $600-$800 per credit | NA |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans | $140 (per credit hours) | $140 (per credit hour) | 92.51% |
Tulane University
Tulane University is a highly ranked private R1 research institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and a member of the Association of American Universities. The University's School of Medicine is accredited by ACCME, LCME, and ACGME. As far as graduate institutions that turn out the most Peace Corps Volunteers go, Tulane is at the top of the list. Merit awards are given out annually to deserving students, with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $32,000. The university grants nursing bachelor's degrees.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is a highly regarded public land-grant college recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and a member of the American Council on Education. In 2021, the organization spent $368 million on research. The university offers about 240 graduate certifications, graduate/professional degrees, and undergraduate degrees. Since the university does not offer a master's degree, students who are accepted into our doctorate program without one will first get an MA before proceeding to receive their Ph.D. in psychology.
Louisiana Tech University
Among the "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity" group, Louisiana Tech University is a public university that is a member of the University of Louisiana System. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has granted it accreditation. Students can choose from a wide range of financial assistance alternatives. The institution provides students with ASN and BSN programs that are approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public research university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The university holds Carnegie's R1 classification, placing it in the top 3% of universities in the country. $205M was spent by the university on research in 2022. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has accredited the university's bachelor nursing program. In addition to an online RN to BSN program, it provides nursing bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a private, Catholic university. The Commission for Education in Nursing has accredited the university's BSN and RN-BSN programs. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University was named the 2022 Nursing School of the Year for Graduate Degree Programs by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation. The university provides BSN, accelerated BSN, master's, and doctorate degrees in nursing, as well as an online RN-BSN program.
Grambling State University
A public historically black university, Grambling State University is recognized by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is one of nine higher educational establishments that make up Louisiana's biggest educational system. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has granted accreditation to the university's MSN and family practitioner program. The university provides post-master's certificates in family nurse practitioner, MSN, and BSN programs.
Nicholls State University
A public university, Nicholls State University offers more than 100 degree programs, including online, nursing, business, and culinary. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing has recognized the university's BSN program and the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN) is the source of the institution's Master of Science in Nursing program. In addition to the Continuing Nursing Education Program, the university provides regular BSN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN and MSN programs.
Loyola University
Loyola University, a private Jesuit and Catholic college, welcomes students from all religious backgrounds and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, as well as over 50 study abroad programs. There are about 60 majors and minors available. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing have also accredited the university. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has accredited the nursing bachelor's, master's, and Doctor of Nursing practice programs.
Chamberlain University
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Chamberlain University is a private nursing school. Its nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), and others. Nursing bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees are available at the university, in addition to a variety of post-master's and bachelor's certificate programs.
Delgado Community College
With more than 100 degree and certificate programs offered, Delgado Community College is a public community college recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) has placed its nursing program 25th in the US, and the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners has recognized it for practical nursing (LSBPNE). The college provides programs in LPN-RN, CNA, Registered Nursing, and Practical Nursing.
