Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana's nursing programs span a remarkable affordability range, from LSU Alexandria's $8,365 net cost to private universities approaching $20,000. The state's public universities dominate the lower cost tiers, with seven institutions under $15,000 annually. Louisiana's healthcare sector, anchored by major medical centers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, creates steady demand for nursing professionals across all specializations. Grambling State graduates earn the highest median salaries at $68,219, while McNeese State provides solid value with $58,104 earnings at just $11,257 net cost. The TOPS scholarship program significantly reduces expenses for Louisiana residents attending public institutions, with in-state tuition often below $10,000. Most programs maintain acceptance rates above 70 percent, making admission relatively accessible. However, graduation rates vary considerably, from LSU Eunice's 13.9 percent to Nicholls State's 54.3 percent, suggesting program rigor and student support differ substantially across institutions.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Louisiana's public nursing programs so affordable compared to other states?

Louisiana's public universities benefit from state subsidies and the TOPS scholarship program, which covers tuition for qualifying residents. LSU Alexandria offers the lowest net cost at $8,365, while most public institutions stay under $15,000 annually. In-state tuition rates range from just $4,730 at LSU Eunice to $10,418 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The state's low cost of living further stretches student budgets compared to coastal regions.

How do graduation rates vary among Louisiana's nursing programs?

Graduation rates span from 13.9 percent at LSU Eunice to 54.3 percent at Nicholls State University. Most four-year programs maintain rates between 35 and 54 percent, reflecting the challenging nature of nursing curricula. McNeese State and University of Louisiana at Lafayette both achieve 52 percent graduation rates while keeping costs under $15,000. These variations often reflect differences in admission standards, student support services, and program structure.

Where do Louisiana nursing graduates earn the highest salaries?

Grambling State graduates command the highest median earnings at $68,219, despite the program's net cost of $19,125. University of Louisiana at Lafayette follows closely at $65,856 with lower debt loads averaging $15,494. Northwestern State and University of Holy Cross graduates both exceed $63,000 annually. These salary differences often reflect employment in urban medical centers versus rural hospitals throughout the state.

Does attending a private nursing school in Louisiana justify the higher costs?

Private institutions charge $16,000 to $22,000 annually but don't always deliver proportionally higher earnings. University of Holy Cross costs $16,780 but graduates earn $63,880, while Louisiana Christian University charges $16,874 for $62,211 median salaries. Debt loads at private schools often exceed $29,000 compared to $15,000 to $24,000 at public institutions. The value proposition depends on individual financial aid packages and career goals.

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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.