2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Louisiana
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Louisiana? We have ranked 113 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 23 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Louisiana
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
South Louisiana Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Louisiana. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,210. The median Nursing program debt is $12,435. South Louisiana Community College alumni report median earnings of $31,432 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about South Louisiana Community College
Northshore Technical Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Louisiana. This public school is set in Lacombe, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,299. Graduates carry a median of $14,815 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Northshore Technical Community College
A rank of #3 makes Louisiana Delta Community College one of the best values in Louisiana. Located in Monroe, LA, Louisiana Delta Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,159. Students borrow a median of $14,024 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,438. Set against $14,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Louisiana Delta Community College profile
Out of the 23 schools in Louisiana in this year's value ranking, Delgado Community College landed the #4 spot. Set in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. Students borrow a median of $25,283 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $33,305 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,283 median debt. Get the full Delgado Community College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bossier Parish Community College earned it the #5 place in Louisiana. This public school is set in Bossier City, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. Bossier Parish Community College Nursing students take on a median of $20,593 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,502 ten years after entry. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Bossier Parish Community College
Southern University At Shreveport landed the #6 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Located in Shreveport, LA, Southern University At Shreveport is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,958. Students borrow a median of $22,135 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,099 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,135 median debt. See the full Southern University At Shreveport profile
L E Fletcher Technical Community College placed #7 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. Set in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,219. L E Fletcher Technical Community College Nursing students take on a median of $5,396 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,189. That is a strong return on a $5,396 median debt. Get the full L E Fletcher Technical Community College report
Louisiana State University Eunice offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Eunice, LA, Louisiana State University Eunice is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,802, while out-of-state students pay about $10,166. Graduates carry a median of $16,239 in student loans. Median earnings reach $36,498 ten years out. Set against $16,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Louisiana State University Eunice profile
Nunez Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Chalmette, LA, Nunez Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,255. Graduates carry a median of $21,296 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,343. That is a strong return on a $21,296 median debt. Get the full Nunez Community College report
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public school based in Alexandria, LA. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. The median Nursing program debt is $24,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,205 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read more about Louisiana State University Alexandria
Mcneese State University placed #11 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. Based in Lake Charles, LA, Mcneese State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Graduates carry a median of $24,433 in student loans. Mcneese State University alumni report median earnings of $46,453 a decade after entry. Set against $24,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Mcneese State University profile
Nicholls State University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Thibodaux, LA, Nicholls State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $45,454 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Get the full Nicholls State University report
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Hammond, LA, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing students take on a median of $24,323 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,482. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Southeastern Louisiana University
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #14 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Set in Monroe, LA, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,769 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe has an acceptance rate of 85%. Get the full University Of Louisiana Monroe report
Baton Rouge Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,321. Baton Rouge Community College Nursing students take on a median of $17,624 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,581 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Baton Rouge Community College
Louisiana Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,846. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,279. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants. Read more about Louisiana Tech University
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #17 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. This public school is set in Natchitoches, LA. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. The median Nursing program debt is $28,061. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana alumni report median earnings of $47,021 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,061 median debt. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read the full report on Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #18 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. The median Nursing program debt is $24,373. University Of Louisiana Lafayette alumni report median earnings of $47,089 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants. Read more about University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Southern University And A And M College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Southern University And A And M College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. The median Nursing program debt is $33,288. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants. Read the full report on Southern University And A And M College
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #20 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Loyola University New Orleans is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,440. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,606. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,927 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on Loyola University New Orleans
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in New Orleans, LA, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,576. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,316 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read more about Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
Louisiana College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Pineville, LA, Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,266 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,997. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,700. That is a strong return on a $26,997 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Louisiana College
Dillard University landed the #23 spot for value in Louisiana this year. Set in New Orleans, LA, Dillard University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,734. The median Nursing program debt is $33,177. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,196 ten years after entry. Set against $33,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dillard University admits about 42% of applicants. More on Dillard University
Southern University At New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Southern University At New Orleans report
Unitech Training Academy Lafayette offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Unitech Training Academy Lafayette profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Louisiana
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Medical Training College placed #26 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. Read the full report on Medical Training College
Unitech Training Academy Baton Rouge came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. More on Unitech Training Academy Baton Rouge
Aveda Institute Baton Rouge offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Baton Rouge
Nationsuniversity landed the #29 spot for value in Louisiana this year. See the full Nationsuniversity profile
Digital Media Institute At Intertech offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Digital Media Institute At Intertech
Grambling State University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Grambling State University
Unitech Training Academy Alexandria offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Unitech Training Academy Alexandria report
Omega Institute Of Cosmetology ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on Omega Institute Of Cosmetology
Herzing University Kenner offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Herzing University Kenner profile
Diesel Driving Academy Shreveport placed #35 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. More on Diesel Driving Academy Shreveport
Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design profile
Centenary College Of Louisiana ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Centenary College Of Louisiana
Our Lady Of The Lake College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Our Lady Of The Lake College
University Of Louisiana System Administration ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on University Of Louisiana System Administration
My Les Beauty College Gretna offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full My Les Beauty College Gretna report
Unitech Training Academy West Monroe offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Unitech Training Academy West Monroe
Blue Cliff College Lafayette offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Blue Cliff College Lafayette
Diesel Driving Academy Baton Rouge landed the #43 spot for value in Louisiana this year. More on Diesel Driving Academy Baton Rouge
Fortis College Baton Rouge placed #44 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. See the full Fortis College Baton Rouge profile
Baton Rouge General Medical Center School Of Nursing offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Baton Rouge General Medical Center School Of Nursing report
Ayers Career College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ayers Career College profile
Louisiana Academy Of Beauty came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full Louisiana Academy Of Beauty profile
Crescent City Bartending School ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Crescent City Bartending School profile
Bos Mans Barber College placed #49 among the best-value Nursing schools in Louisiana. See the full Bos Mans Barber College profile
Delta College Slidell Campus came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Delta College Slidell Campus
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 23 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 113 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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