Best Nursing Schools in New Orleans: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 12, 2026
Compare 12 New Orleans nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in New Orleans?
New Orleans offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 12 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond)
In-state tuition: $8,373/year | Acceptance rate: 94.3% | Graduation rate: 44.3%
Nursing graduates earn $95,010/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 9,514 students.
Southern University and A & M College (Baton Rouge)
In-state tuition: $9,940/year | Acceptance rate: 49.9% | Graduation rate: 29.3%
Nursing graduates earn $94,690/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 5,323 students.
Nicholls State University (Thibodaux)
In-state tuition: $8,173/year | Acceptance rate: 96.0% | Graduation rate: 50.0%
Nursing graduates earn $99,390/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 4,772 students.
Loyola University New Orleans (New Orleans)
In-state tuition: $47,240/year | Acceptance rate: 87.7% | Graduation rate: 67.3%
Nursing graduates earn $129,523/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 2,999 students.
Dillard University (New Orleans)
In-state tuition: $22,194/year | Acceptance rate: 40.5% | Graduation rate: 46.6%
Nursing graduates earn $70,407/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 1,111 students.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans (New Orleans)
In-state tuition: N/A/year
Nursing graduates earn $185,666/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 843 students.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (Baton Rouge)
In-state tuition: $15,690/year | Acceptance rate: 82.9% | Graduation rate: 47.5%
Nursing graduates earn $208,016/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 826 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans | $4,678/yr | $56,218/yr |
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge | $4,221/yr | $56,514/yr |
| Fortis College-Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge | $16,167/yr | $56,655/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in New Orleans:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Louisiana's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare New Orleans nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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