2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Louisiana
Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Louisiana
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
No school ranked higher than University Of Louisiana Lafayette this year for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 306 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $91,870 early in their careers. University Of Louisiana Lafayette graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of New Orleans. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans awarded about 242 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans generally make around $134,346. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Louisiana Tech University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 87 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $75,694 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,192.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Louisiana Tech University
University Of Louisiana Monroe is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Monroe. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Louisiana Monroe awarded about 134 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $85,666 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,550 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Louisiana Monroe
L E Fletcher Technical Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. Set in the rural area of Schriever, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. L E Fletcher Technical Community College awarded about 34 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of L E Fletcher Technical Community College earn a median of $76,405 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,396.
Read more about the registered nursing program at L E Fletcher Technical Community College
Nicholls State University came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Thibodaux. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 166 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Nicholls State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $94,507. Typical student debt for the program is $25,631.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Nicholls State University
Sowela Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 49 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sowela Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $72,690 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,606 to complete this degree.
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Mcneese State University landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 190 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mcneese State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $94,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mcneese State University
Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Hammond. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 193 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southeastern Louisiana University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $89,337 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Southeastern Louisiana University
Delgado Community College earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 287 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Delgado Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Delgado Community College earn a median of $75,597 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,330.
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Louisiana State University Eunice ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Eunice. There were roughly 76 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University Eunice in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $69,964 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Louisiana State University Eunice
Loyola University New Orleans earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University New Orleans graduates 59% of students within six years. Loyola University New Orleans awarded about 19 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $115,056 in their early career. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans.
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Chamberlain University Louisiana landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson, Chamberlain University Louisiana is a small private for-profit university. Chamberlain University Louisiana awarded about 104 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain University Louisiana generally make around $83,188. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Chamberlain University Louisiana
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. 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 501 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered 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.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Baton Rouge Community College earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public institution. About 100 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Baton Rouge Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Baton Rouge Community College earn a median of $74,249 early in their careers. Baton Rouge Community College graduates carry a median of $28,824 in student loans.
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Bossier Parish Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Bossier Parish Community College awarded about 77 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $72,944 early in their careers. Bossier Parish Community College graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Bossier Parish Community College
Louisiana State University Alexandria landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 171 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University Alexandria in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Louisiana State University Alexandria earn around $76,967 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans.
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South Louisiana Community College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 64 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at South Louisiana Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Louisiana Community College generally make around $66,842. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from South Louisiana Community College
Dillard University came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Dillard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $86,585 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $33,177 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Dillard University
Our Lady Of The Lake College earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Our Lady Of The Lake College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake College generally make around $142,312. Our Lady Of The Lake College graduates carry a median of $39,565 in student loans.
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Louisiana Delta Community College came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 37 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Louisiana Delta Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Louisiana Delta Community College earn around $74,622 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,176.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Louisiana Delta Community College
Grambling State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Grambling. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Grambling State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $88,898. Grambling State University graduates carry a median of $40,941 in student loans.
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Southern University And A And M College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern University And A And M College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $87,942. Typical student debt for the program is $39,678.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southern University And A And M College
Louisiana College placed #24 among the best registered nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Pineville. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 21 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Louisiana College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Louisiana College earn around $80,263 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $41,492.
See the full registered nursing program report for Louisiana College
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College graduates 40% of students within six years. About 28 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Our Lady Of Holy Cross College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Our Lady Of Holy Cross College earn a median of $70,806 early in their careers. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Our Lady Of Holy Cross College
Rest of the Top 28 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.