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2026 Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana

25 Colleges in the United States
3,519 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,649 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in Louisiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Louisiana.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

University Of Louisiana Lafayette tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. University Of Louisiana Lafayette graduates 53% of students within six years. About 314 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $91,870. University Of Louisiana Lafayette graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Louisiana Lafayette

2

A rank of #2 makes Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a mid-sized public university. About 314 nursing degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans generally make around $134,346. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans

3

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Louisiana Tech University, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the town of Ruston. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Louisiana Tech University awarded about 87 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Louisiana Tech University earn around $75,694 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana Tech University graduates carry a median of $21,192 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Louisiana Tech University

4

University Of Louisiana Monroe is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Monroe. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 134 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Monroe in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Louisiana Monroe earn around $85,666 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,550. Get the full nursing details for University Of Louisiana Monroe

5

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at L E Fletcher Technical Community College, which ranked #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Schriever. L E Fletcher Technical Community College awarded about 34 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from L E Fletcher Technical Community College generally make around $76,405. L E Fletcher Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $5,396 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at L E Fletcher Technical Community College

6

Nicholls State University came in at #6 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. Nicholls State University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 166 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Nicholls State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $94,507. Students borrow a median of $25,631 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Nicholls State University

7

Sowela Technical Community College placed #7 among the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Lake Charles. About 49 nursing degrees were awarded at Sowela Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $72,690. Typical student debt for the program is $5,606. Get the full nursing details for Sowela Technical Community College

8
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University landed the #8 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 200 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mcneese State University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $94,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Mcneese State University

9

Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #9 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 201 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Louisiana University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Southeastern Louisiana University earn around $89,337 in the first couple years of their career. Southeastern Louisiana University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University

10

Delgado Community College placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public university. Delgado Community College awarded about 287 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Delgado Community College earn around $75,597 in the first couple years of their career. Delgado Community College graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Delgado Community College

11

Louisiana State University Eunice ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Eunice, Louisiana State University Eunice is a mid-sized public university. Louisiana State University Eunice awarded about 76 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Louisiana State University Eunice earn around $69,964 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Louisiana State University Eunice

12

Loyola University New Orleans came in at #12 for nursing this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Loyola University New Orleans graduates 59% of students within six years. Loyola University New Orleans awarded about 69 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $115,056 in their early career. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Loyola University New Orleans

13

Chamberlain University Louisiana ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Jefferson. Chamberlain University Louisiana awarded about 104 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $83,188 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146. Read more about the nursing program at Chamberlain University Louisiana

14

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 530 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $80,699 in their early career. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $28,444 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Northwestern State University Of Louisiana

15

Baton Rouge Community College came in at #15 for nursing this year. Baton Rouge Community College is a large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. There were roughly 100 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Baton Rouge Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $74,249. Typical student debt for the program is $28,824. See the full nursing program report for Baton Rouge Community College

16

Bossier Parish Community College earned the #16 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Bossier Parish Community College awarded about 77 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $72,944 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,618. Get the full nursing details for Bossier Parish Community College

17

Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 171 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University Alexandria in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $76,967 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,022. See the full nursing program report for Louisiana State University Alexandria

18

South Louisiana Community College earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. South Louisiana Community College awarded about 64 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from South Louisiana Community College earn around $66,842 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for South Louisiana Community College

19
Dillard University crest
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University earned the #19 position for nursing this year. Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 11 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Dillard University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Dillard University earn a median of $86,585 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $33,177 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Dillard University

20

Our Lady Of The Lake College earned the #20 position for nursing this year. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 166 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Our Lady Of The Lake College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake College earn a median of $142,312 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $39,565. Get the full nursing details for Our Lady Of The Lake College

21

Louisiana Delta Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 37 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Delta Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $74,622 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,176 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Louisiana Delta Community College

22

Grambling State University earned the #22 position for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Grambling. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 nursing degrees were awarded at Grambling State University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $88,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $40,941. See the full nursing program report for Grambling State University

23

Southern University And A And M College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 27%. There were roughly 133 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern University And A And M College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $87,942 early in their careers. Southern University And A And M College graduates carry a median of $39,678 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Southern University And A And M College

24
Louisiana College crest
Louisiana College
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College earned the #24 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit university. Louisiana College graduates 45% of students within six years. About 21 nursing degrees were awarded at Louisiana College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Louisiana College earn a median of $80,263 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $41,492. Read more about the nursing program at Louisiana College

25

Our Lady Of Holy Cross College came in at #25 for nursing this year. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 nursing degrees were awarded at Our Lady Of Holy Cross College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Our Lady Of Holy Cross College generally make around $70,806. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Our Lady Of Holy Cross College

Rest of the Top 28 Nursing Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:

26
27
28

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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