Top nursing schools in Louisiana: Most expensive to least expensive

The cost of college tuition in the US largely depends on two factors: whether a university is public or private, and whether the degree you’re pursuing lasts two years or four. Besides tuition, the overall cost of higher education includes many more expenses, like the room and board often charged by four-year universities. Two-year colleges often do not include this fee since most students live off campus, and state universities may offer substantial discounts for in-state residents.

A student attending a two-year community college for an associate's degree in registered nursing, if living at home, will pay approximately $11,000 annually, including tuition, books, and associated transportation costs. However, a student at a four-year private university working towards a bachelor's in the same field will pay close to $27,000 per year, once books and room and board are included. On average, these additional expenses will end up costing thousands of dollars on top of tuition. Room and board can total $10,000 a year; transportation and miscellaneous costs might be as high as $2,500; and books, especially when purchased new, could cost approximately $1,200 per year.

An important fact to consider with technical college certificates or two-year associate’s degrees is that, while less expensive, they are programs that often result in lower-paying positions. As a result, the benefits of paying less for an education need to be balanced against the possible lower earning potential in the future. Take all of these factors into account when you examine the below list of the top nursing schools in Louisiana, from the most expensive to the least.