Louisiana Nursing Schools And Programs

Louisiana posts one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the country and a steady demand for nurses. The state's healthcare community is strong, anchored by Louisiana State University, Southern University and A&M College, and Ochsner Medical Center. This guide covers the best programs, what nurses earn, and the steps to a Louisiana license.

The Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana

Programs below are accredited and ranked on academic quality, affordability, reputation, and offerings. Tuition and pass rates change, so confirm current figures with each school.

Loyola University New Orleans, a Jesuit institution of about 4,500 students, offers nursing degrees through the doctoral level. Its four-year BSN includes guaranteed clinical placements through a partnership with Ochsner Health.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $45,030 per year
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, personal statement, one recommendation letter
• Time commitment: Four years

Nicholls State University, the only university serving the Bayou Region, enrolls 6,500 students. Its 120-credit BSN prepares students for RN licensure, and Nicholls reports that all graduates find employment or enter graduate school within a year.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Thibodaux, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $2,461 per semester
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcript, completion of Regents Core Curriculum, minimum 21 ACT or 1060 SAT or 2.35 GPA
• Time commitment: Four years
• Median earnings two years out: $60,030 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

McNeese State University offers nursing degrees from the bachelor's through doctoral level. Its 120-credit BSN runs six-week clinical rotations in mental health, medical-surgical, and obstetrics, plus a three-week community health placement.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $9,000 per year in-state; $14,000 out-of-state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.5 GPA, minimum 20 ACT or 1030 SAT
• Time commitment: Four years
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98%
• Median earnings two years out: $58,104 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Louisiana Christian University, a Baptist-affiliated school founded in 1906 and renamed in 2021, offers several BSN and MSN options, including a traditional four-year BSN and an accelerated 17-month track for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's. BSN graduates can move directly into the online MSN.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Pineville, Louisiana
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $8,929 per semester
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.6 GPA, ACT or SAT scores
• Time commitment: Four years
• Median earnings two years out: $62,211 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Southeastern Louisiana University, the state's third-largest public university with 14,300 students, offers a four-year BSN plus RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN, and accelerated BSN tracks.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Hammond, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $2,889 per semester
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, completion of Regents Core Curriculum, minimum 2.5 GPA, 16+ ACT math and 15+ ACT English
• Time commitment: Four years
• Median earnings two years out: $61,728 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

University of Louisiana Monroe, part of the University of Louisiana system, runs the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing with a 120-credit BSN, RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN, and online MSN. Pre-nursing applicants need a 2.8 cumulative GPA.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Monroe, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $364 per credit in-state; $686 per credit out-of-state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, completion of Regents Core Curriculum, minimum 2.35 GPA, minimum 20 ACT
• Time commitment: Four years
• Median earnings two years out: $61,516 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Northwestern State University, the first university in Louisiana to award nursing degrees, offers programs from associate through doctoral level, including an associate of nursing science, a traditional BSN, a BS-to-BSN, an LPN-to-BSN, and an RN-to-BSN.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Natchitoches, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $2,590 per semester
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, completion of Regents Core Curriculum, minimum 2.35 GPA, 18+ ACT English or 19+ ACT math
• Time commitment: Four years
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.9%
• Median earnings two years out: $63,326 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Grambling State University, a historically Black public institution, offers undergraduate and master's nursing degrees. The BSN pairs a 60-credit pre-nursing component with a 60-credit professional component.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Grambling, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $1,556 per credit
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.0 GPA, minimum 20 ACT or 1030 SAT
• Time commitment: Four years
• Median earnings two years out: $68,219 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Louisiana State University Alexandria offers several pathways: an associate of nursing science requiring one semester of prerequisites and four clinical semesters, an LPN-to-ASN, and a fully online RN-to-BSN that takes 12 to 18 months depending on transfer credits.

• Program: Associate of science in nursing
• Campus: Alexandria, Louisiana
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $417 per credit in-state; $720 per credit out-of-state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, completion of Regents Core Curriculum, minimum 2.0 GPA in core courses or minimum 20 ACT
• Time commitment: 12 months
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.9%
• Median earnings two years out: $44,021 for associate graduates (College Scorecard)

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Louisiana

Weigh admission requirements, reputation, tuition, program length, and financial aid. Check how well a program prepares students by reviewing NCLEX pass rates and confirming accreditation.

Why Become a Nurse in Louisiana

Louisiana's NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rate has run near the top nationally, with about 93% of in-state students passing on their first try in recent years. Louisiana also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), now more than 40 states, which lets RNs licensed in another compact state practice here with minimal paperwork. A multistate license also waives separate renewal fees in member states and allows telehealth nursing across state lines.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Louisiana

RN and APRN pay in Louisiana sits below the national average, but a low cost of living stretches it further than in many higher-paying states. The Louisiana Center for Nursing has projected a growing nursing shortage, with thousands of positions expected to go unfilled.

Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Louisiana RNs

Metro area	Median RN salary
New Orleans, Metairie	$70,930
Hammond	$68,830
Alexandria	$67,680
Houma, Thibodaux	$66,940
Monroe	$65,650

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Louisiana

To get licensed, earn a nursing diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree from a program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, then pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure. APRNs need an existing RN license and an advanced nursing degree. Both RNs and APRNs must meet continuing education requirements to keep their license.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an accredited program with an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and submit a licensure application, two fingerprint cards, a background check authorization, and a $62.50 application fee. RNs renew every two years with at least 30 continuing education hours or 900 practice hours.

APRN Requirements

APRNs need an unencumbered RN license plus an MSN or DNP. Louisiana recognizes four advanced practice roles: certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, and certified nurse midwife, each tied to a population focus such as adult, family, or pediatrics. A mental health focus can cover more than one age group.

APRNs without national certification complete 30 hours of advanced practice continuing education. Those with prescriptive authority add six hours of pharmacotherapeutics. Controlled-substance authority requires three hours covering drug diversion, best practices in prescribing, addiction treatment, or related topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest route to RN? A nursing diploma takes about one year. For more opportunities and higher pay, pursue a two-year ADN or four-year BSN. Part-time study extends each timeline.

How does licensing work across states? Nurses licensed in a non-compact state apply by endorsement and can practice only in the issuing state. Nurses licensed in an NLC state can hold a multistate license and practice in Louisiana and other compact states.

Which schools stand out? LSU's program has averaged above 95% NCLEX-RN pass rates over the past decade, and LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence. Southern University and A&M College, a leading HBCU, pairs affordable in-state tuition with an NCLEX pass rate near 90% and offers BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees.