2023 Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Louisiana to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Schools in Louisiana
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Louisiana at Monroe the best school in Louisiana for nursing students working on their degree. Located in Monroe, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,774 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,123 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $77, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ULM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,072 during the early years of their career.
Out of the 23 schools in Louisiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Louisiana Tech University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Louisiana Tech is a fairly large public school situated in Ruston, Louisiana. It awarded 2,330 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,848 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $252.After graduating from Louisiana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,053 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at McNeese State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Louisiana. Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,303 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,684 in student loans. During the early years of their career, McNeese graduates make an average of $40,312 annually.
Out of the 23 schools in Louisiana that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Louisiana at Lafayette landed the # 4 spot on the list. UL Lafayette is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,420 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UL Lafayette accumulate an average of $27,083 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $192, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UL Lafayette graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,411 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeastern Louisiana University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana list. Located in Hammond, Louisiana, the fairly large public school awarded 2,189 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,917 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $134.After graduating from Southeastern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,273 during the early years of their career.
Nicholls State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Nicholls State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It awarded 1,435 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,108 in student loans.After graduating from Nicholls State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,297 during the early years of their career.
South Louisiana Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. South Louisiana Community College is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,646 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,148 in student loans.After graduating from South Louisiana Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,203 during the early years of their career.
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana ranking. Loyola New Orleans is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 1,050 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $52,861 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $581 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Loyola New Orleans graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,993 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #9, Northwestern State University of Louisiana did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. NSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It awarded 2,210 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,134 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $180, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,919 during the early years of their career.
Louisiana State University - Alexandria landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Louisiana State University - Alexandria is located in Alexandria, Louisiana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 737 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Louisiana State University - Alexandria accumulate an average of $21,562 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Louisiana State University - Alexandria graduates make an average of $39,225 annually.
Southern University at Shreveport did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, the small public school awarded 242 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southern University at Shreveport accumulate an average of $19,437 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southern University at Shreveport graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,206 during the early year of their career.
Northshore Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Northshore Technical College-Sullivan Main Campus is a public institution located in Lacombe, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,661 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,332 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northshore Technical College-Sullivan Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $25,158 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #13, Southern University and A & M College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,166 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $45,790 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $185, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Southern University and A & M College graduates make an average of $39,646 annually.
With a ranking of #14, Louisiana College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Pineville, Louisiana, and it awarded 250 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,502 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Louisiana College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,061 during the early years of their career.
Louisiana State University - Eunice did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. LSU Eunice is located in Eunice, Louisiana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 382 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from LSU Eunice accumulate an average of $14,914 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, LSU Eunice graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,590 during the early year of their career.
University of Holy Cross ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana list. New Orleans, Louisiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 182 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $50,213 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UHC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,277 during the early year of their career.
Bossier Parish Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana list. Bossier Parish Community College is located in Bossier City, Louisiana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,555 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,822 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Bossier Parish Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,548 during the early years of their career.
Louisiana Delta Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. LDCC is a public institution located in Monroe, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,502 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from LDCC accumulate an average of $12,101 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, LDCC graduates make an average of $28,591 annually.
Delgado Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana ranking. This fairly large public school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 2,802 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Delgado Community College accumulate an average of $22,133 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Delgado Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,650 during the early year of their career.
Fletcher Technical Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana list. Schriever, Louisiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 831 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,035 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Fletcher Technical Community College graduates make an average of $53,910 annually.
Nunez Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana ranking. This small public school is located in Chalmette, Louisiana, and it awarded 473 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,263 in student loans.After graduating from Nunez Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,573 during the early years of their career.
Dillard University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana ranking. Dillard University is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 192 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $35,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $314 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Dillard University graduates make an average of $32,972 annually.
Baton Rouge Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana ranking. Baton Rouge Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 1,531 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,218 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BRCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,409 during the early year of their career.
Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.