Best Nursing Schools in Baton Rouge in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

If you’re looking for a nursing school in Louisiana, you’re in luck. Obtaining a nursing degree for a career is in high demand in Louisiana as the state has a sizable senior population and significant demand for healthcare services. A good portion of the nursing schools in Baton Rouge, Louisiana offers direct entry-level nursing training for first-timers as well as a number of opportunities for standard bachelor’s degrees in nursing and higher-level graduate training.

There is no question that the state has a high interest in making it as easy as possible for students to get access to training, even down to the junior college level. For students out-of-state, the best financial advice would be to find a way to live in Baton Rouge first for a year and then go to school. Achieving resident status in the state can produce significant savings in nursing school tuition with all of the public colleges and universities, totaling up to thousands of dollars in costs avoided if done correctly.

List of Top Nursing Schools in Baton Rouge in 2024

1. Northwestern State University – University of Louisiana

The school first began teaching nurses in 1949. Since then, Northwestern has built its nursing program to cover multiple degree levels, including both master’s and bachelor’s degree paths. The school also has an associate degree for starting students and doctorate in nursing practice as well. In addition, Northwestern also provides specialization via post-graduate certificate programs.

Northwestern is a bit unique in that it charges a flat rate for all nursing students enrolled in its nursing program. The flat rate is for the duration of the program, including 30 units of instruction that educates a student from an RN to a BSN level of competency. This program is also different from typical Baton Rouge nursing paths in that the entire program can be taken online.

• Regular Cost –  $7,922 in-state/$18,710 out-of-state (including fees for both)
• Online Cost – $6,750 (flat-rate), RN-to-BSN
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – Associate of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LPN to ASN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN program, Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice

2. Southeastern Louisiana University

The resident school of nursing incorporated within the programs at Southeastern Louisiana University provides students a solid, four-year college degree curriculum with nursing as the major. Graduates address the standard 60 hours of general education and pre-requisites before starting any of the primary nursing courses and need to achieve a passing score to be allowed into the nursing program, even if already a student at SLU.

In addition to the standard four-year program, SLU also addresses the expedited need for students on a fast-track with an accelerated RN-to-BSN program as well as an LPN-to-BSN degree. Both give options to students who already have practical nursing time or an associate degree in place. All graduate candidates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam, and there are ready placement services into the local job market for Baton Rouge nursing positions. Generally, the school produces over 100 bachelor’s degree graduates and about a third that many in graduate degrees in nursing.

• Cost per year – $7,773 in-state/$20,251 out-of-state
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – standard BSN, accelerated RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN

3. University of Phoenix-Louisiana

For a university-level nursing school, it’s a bit surprising that the University of Phoenix-Louisiana only offers one nursing degree. The school is a small-sized private operation and has a very small graduating class each year. For example, in 2015 only four students graduated with a nursing degree after a four-year curriculum was completed.

• Cost per Year – $3,434 in-state/$8,114 out-of-state
• Private or Public – Private
• Programs offered – Bachelors in Nursing

4. Southern University

Granted a certification from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing in 1985, the Southern University School of Nursing and Allied Health has been producing nursing graduates consistently for almost 35 years. The school has a dedicated training program for all three levels of study in a fully equipped university (bachelor’s, masters, and Ph.D.). All of the courses and degrees at Southern are fully reviewed and approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and those standards are maintained consistently. Faculty have both requisite teaching credentials as well as extensive practice experience, and students are trained in a full combination of textbook theory, lab skills, and clinical practicum.

• Cost per year – $9,332 in-state/$19,332 out-of-state
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – standard BSN, Master of Science in Nursing, Ph.D. in Nursing Practice

5. Baton Rouge General School of Nursing

Baton Rouge General School of Nursing is one of the best accredited nursing schools in Baton Rouge. With a purposeful dedication to training students on the latest nursing technology, methods, techniques, and knowledge in the industry, the Baton Rouge General School of Nursing puts an emphasis on holistic treatment versus traditional channel approaches to medical help delivery. The school is reviewed and its credentials substantiated by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the school program is authorized by the State Board of Nursing.

The base program provides starting nursing students with a solid two-year training curriculum, with each cycle based on the calendar year. There are prerequisites including eight specific college courses needed prior to application, as well as a minimum grade level of a C in each. Overall, prospective students should have a 2.7 GPA in general as well. Graduating classes are small and typically include about 25 students.

• Cost per Year – $25,650 (including fees)
• Private or Public – Private
• Programs offered – Associate in Nursing.

7. Delta College of Arts & Technology

Delta isn’t going to compete on the level of the big-sized schools by any means, but the school does provide a basic nursing certificate so that students can get started in their career path. Annually, Delta College of Arts & Technology graduates about 100 students through its certificate program, bolstering the basic level of nursing skill in the community as a result. Most go onto work in entry positions and further their study in the field.

• Cost per Year – $14,000
• Private or Public – Private
• Programs offered – Certificate in Nursing

8. Baton Rouge Community College

As a junior college, Baton Rouge Community College is oriented on providing students a gateway path into the nursing industry and an entry-level job placement. Its 2-year program is specifically designed to meet state requirements and train students on basic nursing requisites to take their first nursing exam for licensing. The school offers both a 2-year degree as well as a certificate program for student training.

• Cost per Year – $1,990 in-state/$4,030 out-of-state (both including fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – Associate in Nursing, Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing.

9. River Parishes Community College

Sitting on the outside of Baton Rouge, the River Parishes Community College ensures access to nursing education for students who are seeking an entry-level education via the junior college path. The school graduates approximately 20 students a year, and these former students typically move on directly into first-level nursing positions in the community.

• Cost per Year – $4,079 in-state/$22,335 out-of-state
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – Certificate in Nursing.

10. Capital Area Technical College

For a junior college and trade school, the Capital Area Technical College has a fairly robust nurse training program with 5 different degree paths. The typical graduating class size each year is about 50 students, but most graduate with a certificate versus a full degree.

• Cost per Year – $4,221 in-state/$23,412 out-of-state (both including fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Programs offered – Certificate in Nursing.

Methodology

The above nursing schools in Baton Rouge, LA were ranked first in terms of program offerings and then tuition levels. As one moves down the list, the lower level schools appear towards the bottom numbers due to fewer offerings of higher-level degrees. However, these schools do offer very affordable pathways for those students looking to start in the nursing field from the ground up at entry-level. If you are seeking more information on one of these schools please contact us and we would be glad to help go deeper on a particular Baton Rouge institution.