2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Louisiana

1

Sowela Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA

Leading the list is Sowela Technical Community College, our #1 best value for nursing in Louisiana. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $72,690. Set against $5,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Louisiana State University Alexandria, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Students borrow a median of $28,022 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,967. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Louisiana Delta Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,159 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,176. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $74,622. That is a strong return on a $22,176 median debt.

4

Louisiana State University Eunice
Eunice, LA

Louisiana State University Eunice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Eunice, Louisiana State University Eunice is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,802, compared with $10,166 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Louisiana State University Eunice earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

South Louisiana Community College
Lafayette, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Louisiana Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,842. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt.

6

Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, LA

Bossier Parish Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,618. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,944. Set against $26,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

L E Fletcher Technical Community College
Schriever, LA

L E Fletcher Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Schriever, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,219. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,396 in student loans. Nursing graduates of L E Fletcher Technical Community College earn a median of $76,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,396 median debt.

8

Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,321. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $74,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,550. Nursing graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $85,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,550 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,100. Early-career nursing graduates make about $94,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,279. Nursing graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Delgado Community College earn a median of $75,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt.

12

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,631. Early-career nursing graduates make about $94,507. Set against $25,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,192 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,694. Set against $21,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $89,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.

15

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,870. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

16

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $28,444 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $80,699 early in their careers. Set against $28,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southern University At Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Southern University At Shreveport came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,958. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $35,875. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,352. That is a strong return on a $35,875 median debt.

18

Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
New Orleans, LA

Our Lady Of Holy Cross College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,576. Nursing graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Our Lady Of Holy Cross College earn a median of $70,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Louisiana College
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pineville. Students from in state pay about $20,266 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $41,492. Early-career nursing graduates make about $80,263. That is a strong return on a $41,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

20

Our Lady Of The Lake College
Baton Rouge, LA

Our Lady Of The Lake College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,959. Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,565 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake College generally make around $142,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

21

Dillard University
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,177 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Dillard University generally make around $86,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

22

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $40,941. Nursing graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $88,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

23

Southern University And A And M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University And A And M College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $9,922 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,678 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 35%.

24

Herzing University Kenner
Metairie, LA

Herzing University Kenner earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Herzing University Kenner is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Metairie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,897 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $44,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

25

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,606. Early-career nursing graduates make about $115,056. That is a strong return on a $26,606 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.