Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats for BSN programs near Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson Parish lies within 10 miles of Ochsner Medical Center and University Medical Center, two of Louisiana’s largest teaching hospitals. With Magnet designations pushing for a heavily BSN-prepared nursing staff, earning a bachelor’s degree is now the baseline for most acute-care roles in the New Orleans metro.
The programs ranked here balance tuition, net price, and early-career earnings to highlight genuine value. NCLEX first-time pass rates gauge exam readiness, while the state board’s licensure steps clarify the path after graduation. As hospitals continue to hire preferentially for BSN nurses, starting with a strong program puts you ahead of the pack.
Jefferson, Louisiana, sits in the heart of the New Orleans metro, giving aspiring nurses access to both nationally recognized academic health centers and smaller, high-touch BSN options. The programs below balance cost, graduation rates, and long-term earnings, with a special emphasis on schools that are commuting distance or deeply integrated with area hospitals. Whether you choose a direct-entry BSN on the Westbank or a traditional program in the Bayou Region, these picks put a quality nursing education within reach.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Aspiring nurses wanting academic health center advantage | ||
LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans anchors the region's medical corridor, making it a top pick for Jefferson residents who can stay local and pay in-state tuition while training alongside future doctors in one of the state's only academic health science centers. Its small 3:1 student-faculty ratio and Louisiana's first nationally accredited nursing simulation center provide immersive clinical preparation, and the program reports median graduate earnings of $78,495 with median debt of just $19,500, among the strongest ROI signals on this list.
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| #2 | University of Holy Cross | New Orleans, LA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Jefferson-area students prioritizing NCLEX success | |
Just across the river on the Westbank, University of Holy Cross is one of the most physically accessible BSN options for Jefferson Parish. The ACEN-accredited program boasts recent NCLEX pass rates at or near 100% and integrates a Christian perspective on holistic, patient-centered care. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and a net price around $15,635, it combines personal attention with solid outcomes, graduates report median earnings of $49,316 ten years out.
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| #3 | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA | $8,000 – $9,000/yr | South Louisiana commuters needing flexible program tracks | |
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux serves the Bayou Region and sits within commuting range for some Jefferson-area residents. Its CCNE-accredited BSN reports NCLEX pass rates well above state and national averages and offers traditional, LPN-BSN, and RN-BSN pathways, with the RN-BSN track fully online. A net price of $12,947 and 10-year median earnings of $45,454 make it a financially balanced choice, and clinicals often draw on hospitals in the River Parishes.
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| #4 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | $13,000/yr | ||
Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond is within the greater New Orleans commuter belt, giving it geographic relevance for Jefferson residents, especially those on the Northshore. The Nursing, BS program features multiple pathways, generic, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, and an accelerated option for second-degree students, plus a fully online RN-BSN track. A net price of $13,154 and median graduate earnings of $46,482 add to its appeal, though its institution-wide graduation rate of 45.4% warrants considering whether the university's support services align with your needs.
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| #5 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Kitty DeGree School of Nursing delivers a CCNE-accredited BSN with a strong general education foundation and simulation experiences. With a net price of $13,466 and 10-year median earnings of $46,769, it offers solid value for a four-year public program, though its location in Monroe is a considerable drive from Jefferson. The institution reports a 54.2% graduation rate and a retention rate of 73%, suggesting students should confirm academic support resources.
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| #6 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
UL Lafayette is a well-known destination for nursing education in Louisiana, offering both a traditional four-year BSN and an accelerated BSN for degree holders. Its net price is $13,530, and graduates see median earnings of $47,089 a decade out, placing it competitively among in-state public options. The institution's overall graduation rate sits at 52.6%, and the program emphasizes leadership and health policy, a draw for students interested in more than bedside nursing.
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| #7 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
McNeese State's BSN in Lake Charles reports a 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate and a low net price of $12,493, making it one of the most affordable options on this list. Students complete 120 credit hours with a six-week preceptorship and simulation lab training, and median graduate earnings reach $46,453. However, the university-wide graduation rate of 47% and retention rate of 68% signal that prospective students should investigate on-campus academic support before enrolling.
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| #8 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches runs the state's first public BSN, established in 1949. The CCNE-accredited program is offered on the main campus with clinical courses on multiple sites across central and north Louisiana, but no special New Orleans-area cohorts exist. A net price of $13,606 aligns with typical public university costs, and median graduate earnings hit $47,021. The institution's graduation rate of 43.2% and retention rate of 71% should prompt a close look at support services if you plan to enroll away from home.
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| #9 | Louisiana Christian University | Pineville, LA | $13,000/yr | ||
Louisiana Christian University in Pineville offers both a traditional BSN and a 17-month accelerated BSN for second-degree seekers, all within a Christian liberal arts framework. The net price of $13,113, after aid, is comparable to public options, and median earnings of $51,700, the second highest on this list, suggest a strong payoff. Just be aware that the university's 52% retention rate and 43.9% graduation rate indicate a need for careful self-assessment of fit before committing.
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| #10 | Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever, LA | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever offers an affordable ACEN-accredited Associate of Science in Nursing. With a net price of $10,527 and median graduate debt of just $10,064, it's an economical entry point into nursing, though median earnings of $32,189 reflect the ADN level. The program's 69-credit, five-semester format admits students in fall and spring, and its location south of Thibodaux makes it driving distance for some Jefferson-area residents looking for a low-cost initial credential before transferring to a BSN.
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Choosing a nursing program often means weighing affordability against the strength of long-term career outcomes. A low sticker price can hide high student debt, while a well-known name doesn’t always translate into higher earnings after graduation. Our rankings aim to cut through that noise by centering what matters most: net price, graduate debt, graduation rates, and program-level earnings.
We draw all core metrics from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Net price reflects what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Graduate debt measures the median federal loan load for completers. Earnings data captures median pay for program graduates in the years after they finish, giving you a realistic look at return on investment.
The graduation rates we use are institution-wide, not specific to nursing. They still serve as a strong proxy for the support systems, advising, and academic environment a school provides. A campus that consistently helps students across all majors reach the finish line tends to do the same for nursing students.
We set a 75-mile search radius from Jefferson, Louisiana. That pulls in every major nursing educator in the Greater New Orleans area, including top nursing schools in Louisiana, which is why programs from LSU Health New Orleans, Chamberlain University, and other nearby schools appear prominently. If a program lies outside this radius but offers a strong fit, you’ll find it in the expanded listings later on the page.
NCLEX performance isn’t part of this ranking because those figures come directly from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, not from the Scorecard. We address first-time pass rates separately so you can see both the academic and licensure readiness picture side by side.
The following table compares annual tuition and net price for four-year BSN programs near Jefferson, LA. Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for full-time beginning students, giving a more realistic estimate of what students actually pay.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Christian University | $20,266 | $20,266 | $13,113 |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | $7,050 | $14,725 | $7,065 |
| McNeese State University | $8,489 | $9,989 | $12,493 |
| Nicholls State University | $8,149 | $9,242 | $12,947 |
A program’s NCLEX pass rate tells you whether graduates are ready to sit for the licensing exam, but the real test is what comes next: landing a nursing job and earning a salary that rewards the investment.
The 2024 Louisiana State Board of Nursing data reports a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 90% for BSN programs statewide1, well above the 87% national average1, which typically falls between 85% and 88% depending on the year3. In the Jefferson and Greater New Orleans area, several schools consistently exceed that mark. LSU Health New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans traditionally see first-time pass rates above 90%, often approaching 95%, reflecting rigorous clinical and didactic training. Chamberlain University’s New Orleans campus and the University of Holy Cross also maintain rates at or above the state average. All BSN programs in the region meet Louisiana’s 80% minimum pass rate threshold required for program approval2, but the strongest candidates look for schools that beat the statewide figure. If a program’s rate falls significantly, say below 85%, it may indicate gaps in NCLEX preparation, and you should investigate its support resources before enrolling.
A high NCLEX score gets you the license, but what matters next is your earning power. topnursing.org pulls graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard where available, though many program-level figures are still in the collection phase. For BSN-prepared nurses in the New Orleans metro, early-career salaries generally range from $55,000 to $65,000 per year, with experienced RNs earning significantly more. Actual pay varies by employer, specialty, and shift differentials, so students benefit from programs with strong hospital partnerships and job placement pipelines. As more earnings data becomes public, topnursing.org will update its rankings to show which local programs deliver the best return on tuition investment. For now, pairing a program’s proven NCLEX success with its clinical reputation gives you a reliable gauge of your future career trajectory.
Not every nursing student in Jefferson can commit to a traditional Monday-through-Friday class schedule. Some need to work while studying; others already hold a bachelor's degree and want the fastest route to RN licensure. Hybrid, evening, and accelerated BSN tracks answer these needs, blending online coursework with necessary hands-on training and clinical hours.
Chamberlain University's New Orleans campus offers an Evening & Weekend BSN designed for working students. The hybrid format delivers coursework online while labs and clinicals take place in person. Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University both run hybrid Accelerated BSN tracks for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. While the online content offers flexibility, all hybrid programs require you to attend clinical rotations at partner healthcare facilities, so living within a reasonable commute of New Orleans is a must.
If you already have a bachelor's in another field, an accelerated BSN lets you earn your nursing degree in as little as 15–24 months without repeating general education credits. Several schools near Jefferson offer these intensive pathways: - LSU Health New Orleans: CARE BSN track lasts 24 months and is fully on-campus. - Loyola University New Orleans: Hybrid 17-month ABSN. - Tulane University: Hybrid 16-month ABSN. - Herzing University New Orleans: 20- to 24-month ABSN for those with a non-nursing bachelor's or master's. - Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond): 18-month on-campus ABSN. - University of Louisiana at Lafayette: 15-month ABSN.
All are full-time and demanding, but they get you to the NCLEX quickly.
Hybrid programs are not fully online. You'll attend on-campus labs and complete clinical hours at local hospitals, so plan your schedule and commute accordingly. Accelerated tracks compress the same BSN curriculum into fewer months, meaning you'll likely need to treat school as a full-time job. Regardless of format, all BSN programs require hands-on training; proximity to the New Orleans metro area is a practical advantage for Jefferson residents. Always confirm clinical placement policies with the school, as some may arrange sites for you while others require you to secure your own.
Becoming a registered nurse in Jefferson, LA starts with an accredited nursing program and follows a state-defined licensure path. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) sets the official requirements and processes applications for the NCLEX-RN exam.
If you are considering a nursing career in Jefferson Parish, you likely have questions about schools, costs, and program options. Below, we answer the most common queries prospective students ask.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, several other Louisiana nursing schools offer BSN degrees within a reasonable drive of Jefferson. The following directory includes options across the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, and other parts of the state, with net price and format details to help you compare.
