When researching nursing schools to find the best fit, one factor to consider is the overall size of the student body. Some students feel more comfortable with a focus on the individual that the small classrooms of private and community colleges often afford. Others may thrive in larger lecture hall environments that are often found at public universities.
Larger universities not only have a greater number of students, but they typically have more course offerings than smaller colleges. Louisiana State University has the widest variety of nursing programs in the state. In fact, LSU offers a Health Sciences Center comprised of master's and doctorate degree students in various specialties, from nursing education to adult health nursing.
The average salary for most nursing professions in Louisiana is lower compared to most other states in the US, except for the position of nurse anesthetist. These specialists, of which there are only 810 in the state, can earn as much as $165,000 annually. LSU and Our Lady of the Lake College are the two universities in Louisiana that offer a master’s in nurse anesthetist degree. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a school with a student body just over half the size of LSU’s, offers a master’s degree in registered nursing.
To ensure that you make the most informed decision when considering how to start your nursing career, below is a listing of the best nursing schools in Louisiana, from largest student body to smallest.