by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
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Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
Southern University At Shreveport earned the #1 spot for highest-paid nursing graduates in Louisiana. Located in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Southern University At Shreveport earn a median of about $84,058 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Dillard University earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Dillard University earn a median of about $88,360 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Chamberlain University Louisiana, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Jefferson, Chamberlain University Louisiana is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,768.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at L E Fletcher Technical Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Schriever, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,977.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. Nursing graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of about $87,367 a year early in their careers.
Delgado Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Delgado Community College is a public school located in the city of New Orleans. Early-career nursing graduates from Delgado Community College make a median of around $74,382 per year.
Louisiana College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Louisiana College make a median of around $85,855 per year.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #8 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University typically earn about $72,292 annually.
Louisiana State University Eunice ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Eunice, Louisiana State University Eunice is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Louisiana State University Eunice earn a median of about $78,312 a year early in their careers.
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #10 spot for nursing salaries this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public school located in the city of Monroe. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Louisiana Monroe make a median of around $88,262 per year.
Southern University And A And M College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Southern University And A And M College make a median of around $81,687 per year.
Louisiana Delta Community College came in at #12 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College typically earn about $70,603 annually.
Sowela Technical Community College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Sowela Technical Community College make a median of around $72,690 per year.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of about $72,230 a year early in their careers.
Baton Rouge Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Baton Rouge Community College earn a median of about $69,554 a year early in their careers.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans make a median of around $81,703 per year.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public school located in the town of Natchitoches. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana typically earn about $81,041 annually.
Baton Rouge General Medical Center School Of Nursing came in at #18 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Baton Rouge General Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Baton Rouge General Medical Center School Of Nursing typically earn about $70,129 annually.
Louisiana State University Alexandria earned the #19 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria typically earn about $59,427 annually.
Nicholls State University came in at #20 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Nicholls State University make a median of around $76,027 per year.
Our Lady Of The Lake College came in at #21 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake College earn a median of about $77,812 a year early in their careers.
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,720.
Mcneese State University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Mcneese State University make a median of around $72,067 per year.
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,102.
South Louisiana Community College came in at #25 for nursing graduate earnings this year. South Louisiana Community College is a public school located in the city of Lafayette. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from South Louisiana Community College typically earn about $66,842 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 25 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.