Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana
- 19
- Schools
- $46,978
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,572
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,812
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $34,042 at the low end to $63,268 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Louisiana State University at Alexandria offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,205 against $7,065 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Louisiana State University at Alexandria, at $7,065 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Tulane University of Louisiana graduates 88% of its students, well above the 45% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Tulane University of Louisiana: graduates owe only 0.32× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Louisiana at Monroe ($46,769 earnings), not the highest earner, Tulane University of Louisiana ($63,268). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Louisiana State University at Alexandria ($7,065/yr) and Tulane University of Louisiana ($39,949/yr) produce graduates earning $42,205 and $63,268 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $32,884 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Louisiana State University at Alexandria outperforms Tulane University of Louisiana: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Louisiana State University at Alexandria and Tulane University of Louisiana. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $47K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Louisiana at Monroe #1 overall | $46,769 ▲ +0% vs avg | $13,466 | 52% | 79 |
| 2 Nicholls State University #2 overall | $45,454 ▼ -3% vs avg | $12,947 | 54% | 78 |
| 3 Louisiana Tech University #3 overall | $52,279 ▲ +11% vs avg | $11,864 | 61% | 76 |
| $47,089 ▲ +0% vs avg | $13,530 | 52% | 76 | |
| $46,453 ▼ -1% vs avg | $12,493 | 49% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana
This analysis ranks 19 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,978 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $16,572.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Louisiana State University at Alexandria — Net Price: $7,065 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Tulane University of Louisiana — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Tulane University of Louisiana — Median alumni earnings: $63,268
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$46,769
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$13,606
Median net price
3.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Start with the medians across these 19 schools. Graduates earn a median of $46,769 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 45%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $13,606 a year with about $22,902 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 40% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 3.1%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. University of Louisiana at Monroe tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $46,769 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Louisiana at Monroe lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,769 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,466 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Nicholls State University lands at #2 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,947 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Louisiana Tech University lands at #3 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,279 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Louisiana at Lafayette lands at #4 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $47,089 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,530 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
McNeese State University lands at #5 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $46,453 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,493 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Southeastern Louisiana University lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,482 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Xavier University of Louisiana lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,184 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,127 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Loyola University New Orleans lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $52,927 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,696 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Alexandria, LA · 92% accepted · $7,065 net
Why it ranks #9
Louisiana State University at Alexandria lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $42,205 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,065 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 99% accepted · $18,552 net
Why it ranks #10
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University lands at #10 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $59,419 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,552 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Dillard University lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,196 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,094 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Natchitoches, LA · 93% accepted · $13,606 net
Why it ranks #12
Northwestern State University of Louisiana lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (63/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,021 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,606 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 35% accepted · $20,077 net
Why it ranks #13
Southern University and A & M College lands at #13 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,371 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,077 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Tulane University of Louisiana lands at #14 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $63,268 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,949 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #15 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,042 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,810 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Louisiana State University-Eunice lands at #16 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $36,498 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,421 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Holy Cross lands at #17 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by social mobility (30/100). Graduates earn a median $49,316 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,635 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Louisiana Christian University lands at #18 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $51,700 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,113 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Herzing University-New Orleans lands at #19 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,269 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 19 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college in Louisiana is crucial for students looking to enter a demanding yet rewarding profession. With 19 institutions offering nursing programs, prospective students are faced with many options that vary significantly in terms of outcomes and financial commitments.
The strongest nursing colleges in this list stand out based on key metrics like graduate earnings, completion rates, student debt, and overall mobility. These factors provide a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation, helping students and their families make informed decisions about where to invest their time and resources.
For instance, the University of Louisiana at Monroe boasts an average earning of $46,769, with a graduation rate of 52% and a net price of $13,466. In contrast, Louisiana State University-Alexandria shows lower earnings at $42,205 and a concerning graduation rate of just 35%. These numbers highlight the trade-offs students face when selecting a program.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 10 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.1%. Xavier University of Louisiana leads the group at 5.3%, with Dillard University (5%) and University of Louisiana at Monroe (3.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 17% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southern University at New Orleans leads at 37.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 20.2% across this list. Xavier University of Louisiana posts the highest success rate at 31.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.31 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Loyola University New Orleans reaches 1.61, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When looking at the data, it’s striking to compare Nicholls State University and Louisiana State University-Alexandria. While Nicholls graduates enjoy a higher earning potential of $45,454, Louisiana State University-Alexandria lags behind at $42,205. This difference in earnings, coupled with a 19% gap in graduation rates, illustrates how crucial it is to consider both financial outcomes and completion rates when evaluating nursing programs.
As you sift through the 19 schools listed here, think about what matters most to you. If lower debt is a priority, Louisiana State University-Alexandria has a net price of just $7,065. However, if you want higher graduation rates and future earnings, the University of Louisiana at Monroe might be the better fit despite a higher net price. Assess these factors against your personal priorities, including location, campus culture, and career goals.
Ultimately, the choices made now can shape the future. The path from college to a stable, fulfilling career hinges on these decisions. A well-chosen nursing program can lead to fruitful employment opportunities, while a misstep could leave students grappling with debt and limited job prospects. Each family's decision is unique, and weighing these data points carefully can lead to lasting impact.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana ranking? +
University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $46,769 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 52% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Tulane University of Louisiana posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,268 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,978 average across the 19 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Louisiana State University at Alexandria leads: graduates earn a median $42,205 against net price of about $7,065 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Tulane University of Louisiana has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 45% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,572 a year across the 19 ranked schools with cost data. Louisiana State University at Alexandria is among the most affordable at roughly $7,065. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 19 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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