Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Louisiana

McNeese State University delivers the lowest net price for nursing programs at $11,257, while Chamberlain University graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $71,315. This $25,000 earnings gap reflects the different career paths within nursing education across Louisiana's 18 programs. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with seven schools offering net prices below $15,000. Louisiana's major medical centers, including Ochsner Health System and Louisiana State University Health, create strong demand for nursing administrators and clinical researchers. The state's TOPS scholarship program covers tuition at public institutions for qualifying students, making schools like Southeastern Louisiana University particularly attractive with 98.98% acceptance rates. Private institutions like University of Holy Cross command higher costs but maintain smaller class sizes. Oil and gas industry workers throughout Louisiana rely on occupational health nurses, while the state's aging population drives demand for specialized nursing roles in research and administration.

Programs

$8,365 – $36,972

Net Price Range

$62,824

Avg. Program Earnings

41.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$61,516	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
2	McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana	$11,257	$58,104	$8,460	52.0%	71.2%
3	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana	$12,174	$61,728	$8,373	44.8%	99.0%
4	Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana	$12,091	$60,030	$8,173	54.3%	98.4%
5	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$65,856	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
6	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, Louisiana	$13,809	$63,326	$8,864	44.6%	97.9%
7	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780	$63,880	$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
8	Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana	$16,874	$62,211	$19,740	41.3%	74.6%
9	Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana	$19,125	$68,219	$7,683	32.3%	42.4%
10	Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$17,797	$59,214	$15,690	51.3%	84.8%
11	Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,553	$59,253	$22,194	45.1%	79.9%
12	Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$19,740	$62,064	$9,940	28.5%	53.9%
13	Chamberlain University-Louisiana Jefferson, Louisiana	$36,972	$71,315	$19,686		80.0%
14	Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$22,762		$47,240	67.4%	78.1%
15	Louisiana State University-Eunice Eunice, Louisiana	$9,619		$4,730	13.9%
16	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana	$8,365		$7,050	35.5%	57.7%
17	Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana	$15,260		$7,490	17.9%	93.5%
18	Fortis College-Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$23,826		$16,167	45.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $25,000 difference in earnings between top programs?

Chamberlain University graduates earn $71,315 annually compared to $58,104 at McNeese State University. This gap reflects differences in program focus, with some schools emphasizing clinical research and nursing administration roles that command higher salaries. Private institutions often have stronger connections to major hospital systems, leading to better initial job placements in management positions.

How does Louisiana's TOPS scholarship affect nursing program costs?

TOPS covers full tuition at public universities for students meeting academic requirements, making in-state costs as low as $4,730 at LSU-Eunice. However, room, board, and fees still apply, bringing net prices to around $11,000-$12,000 at most public schools. This explains why public institutions dominate Louisiana's most affordable nursing options.

Is Southeastern Louisiana University's 98.98% acceptance rate typical?

Several Louisiana nursing programs maintain acceptance rates above 95%, including Nicholls State at 98.43% and Northwestern State at 97.93%. These high acceptance rates reflect Louisiana's nursing shortage and the state's commitment to training more healthcare workers. However, graduation rates vary significantly, with some programs completing only 32% of students.

Does attending private nursing schools justify the higher costs?

Private schools charge $15,000-$37,000 in net costs compared to $11,000-$14,000 at public institutions. University of Holy Cross graduates earn $63,880 with a 35.8% graduation rate, while public school graduates often earn similar amounts with higher completion rates. The financial advantage depends on individual career goals and scholarship availability.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.