Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program outcomes for BSN programs serving the Metairie and greater New Orleans area.
Which nursing programs near Metairie give you the strongest shot at first-time NCLEX success without piling on debt?
Metairie’s position in the New Orleans metro puts students within a 30-minute drive of major hospitals like Ochsner Medical Center and East Jefferson General Hospital, where clinical rotations can make or break a nurse’s preparation. Within commuting distance, you’ll find traditional four-year BSNs, accelerated tracks for second-degree seekers, and hybrid online options, each tied to different clinical networks.
Comparing NCLEX pass rates and net costs across Jefferson Parish and neighboring parishes reveals which programs consistently produce practice-ready graduates. Students who train in high-acuity units at these teaching hospitals often transition more confidently into the local workforce. That clinical experience is often the deciding factor in early job placement and starting salary.
Metairie residents have access to accredited BSN programs at both public and private institutions, many within a 30-minute commute to downtown New Orleans. These schools blend classroom education with clinical placements at hospitals throughout Jefferson Parish and the Greater New Orleans area, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN success.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Holy Cross | New Orleans, LA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Faith-based learners in New Orleans | |
Located on the West Bank of New Orleans, the University of Holy Cross offers one of the closest private BSN programs for Metairie students. With over 30 years of nursing education, the ACEN-accredited curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care, ethical practice, and critical thinking through small cohorts and direct clinical partnerships with New Orleans-area hospitals. The program's strong alumni network in local health systems supports job placement in the very communities where students train.
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| #2 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Second-degree seekers in urban health | ||
LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans delivers its BSN through a health-sciences-focused campus in downtown New Orleans, placing students at the heart of the city's major medical centers. The competitive program admits in both fall and spring, accepts transfer pre-nursing credits from area colleges, and emphasizes interprofessional education with medical and public health students. Graduates benefit from a strong local employment pipeline and the school's reputation for high mid-career earnings.
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| #3 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | $13,000/yr | Working RNs needing online BSN completion | |
Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond is a public option popular among Northshore and New Orleans metro commuters, including many from Metairie. The CCNE-accredited BSN offers multiple pathways, including a fully online RN-to-BSN for working nurses, and students complete clinicals across the Greater New Orleans region. The program emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and the skills needed for diverse healthcare roles.
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| #4 | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA | $8,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux serves as a commuter-friendly choice for Metairie students, located about an hour away in the Bayou Region. The BSN program, accredited by CCNE and approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, reports high NCLEX pass rates and offers both LPN-BSN and RN-BSN tracks. Clinical partnerships extend into the New Orleans metro, making it practical for students to complete rotations closer to home.
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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 simulation experiences, community service, and strong licensure exam outcomes. The program, while located in northeast Louisiana, is open to all state residents at public in-state tuition rates, and its graduates find employment in hospitals across Louisiana.
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| #6 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a pre-licensure BSN that blends nursing theory with clinical practice over four years. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, patient care, and health policy advocacy, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN and roles in diverse settings. While based in Acadiana, the program is a known in-state option to which some New Orleans metro students may travel.
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| #7 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
McNeese State University in Lake Charles boasts a BSN with a 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate, CCNE accreditation, and a six-week preceptorship. The on-campus program includes state-of-the-art simulation labs and covers anatomy, pharmacology, and ethics, though it is geographically farthest from Metairie among the ranked options, with clinical placements concentrated in southwest Louisiana.
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| #8 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, with a nursing program dating to 1949, offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that combines liberal arts with clinical training across multiple campuses. While the primary clinical focus is in central and northwest Louisiana, the public in-state tuition and multiple pathway options can appeal to Metairie students willing to relocate or planning to return to the New Orleans area after graduation.
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| #9 | Louisiana Christian University | Pineville, LA | $13,000/yr | ||
Louisiana Christian University in Pineville integrates a Christian perspective into its traditional and accelerated BSN tracks, both designed for Next Gen NCLEX success. The private university emphasizes hands-on learning, small class sizes, and individualized attention, though its central Louisiana location requires relocation for most Metairie area students.
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| #10 | Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever, LA | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever offers an associate degree in nursing (ASN) that can serve as a fast, affordable entry to RN licensure for Metairie residents willing to commute roughly an hour or relocate to the Bayou Region. The ACEN-accredited program admits both fall and spring, has no waiting list, and emphasizes flexible prerequisite options and hands-on clinical training.
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The table below compares annual costs for BSN programs near Metairie. These net price figures are institution-wide averages and not specific to the nursing program, but they illustrate the impact of financial aid. Louisiana State University-Alexandria offers the lowest net price, while Louisiana Christian University shows a large gap due to its higher sticker price and generous aid.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Louisiana Christian University | $20,266 | $20,266 | $13,113 |
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is the authoritative source for program-level NCLEX-RN pass rates within the state. Each year the board publishes an annual report that includes first-time pass rates for every prelicensure nursing program, including BSN tracks. These reports typically break down results by program and compare them to the statewide average. You can find the latest edition on the LSBN website under the education or reports section. For prospective students in Metairie, this data helps reveal how well nearby BSN programs prepare graduates for the licensing exam.1
Programs in the New Orleans area that appear in these reports include Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, University of Holy Cross, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Dillard University. The LSBN's 2024 Nursing Education Capacity report listed 19 BSN programs statewide, so comparing a school's pass rate against the state average provides useful context. Keep in mind that small cohort sizes can cause year-to-year swings in a program's rate; looking at two or three years of data offers a more reliable picture.
Beyond individual school data, it's helpful to know how Louisiana BSN graduates perform relative to the nation. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) releases national NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates in its quarterly or annual publications. Checking the most recent NCSBN report lets you see whether a Metairie-area program's results fall above or below the national norm. The LSBN annual report likewise includes a statewide average for all first-time test-takers, giving you a second benchmark. Consistent outperformance of both the state and national figures indicates a strong licensure preparation curriculum.
Early-career earnings potential is another important factor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program provides detailed wage estimates for registered nurses (SOC code 29-1141) in the New Orleans-Metairie metropolitan statistical area. By visiting the BLS website and selecting this metro area, you can view percentile breakdowns: 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages. These figures show the range of what RNs in the region earn, from entry-level to experienced. Because the data is updated annually, the most current snapshot reflects the latest labor market conditions in Jefferson Parish and surrounding parishes.
While program-level graduate earnings are not publicly reported in a standardized way across all schools, the BLS metro-level wage data gives a realistic baseline for what new BSN graduates might expect after passing the NCLEX. National median wages for registered nurses may differ from the New Orleans-Metairie median, so always verify the geographic scope of any wage figure you encounter.
Many nursing programs post their own NCLEX pass rates on their websites or in admissions brochures. These figures are useful, but it is wise to cross-check them against the LSBN annual reports. Occasionally, a school may highlight a particularly high pass rate from a single cohort or report a rate that includes repeat test-takers in a way that skews the comparison. By consulting the official state data, you can confirm that the numbers align. For additional context on each program, including admissions requirements and clinical placement information, the nursing schools in Louisiana profiles on topnursing.org consolidate key details to streamline your research.
Prospective nursing students near Metairie will find distinct program formats to fit their schedules and career goals. The table below compares in-person and hybrid options, evening and weekend availability, accelerated tracks, and clinical partnerships for BSN programs in the New Orleans area.
| School | Delivery Format | Evening/Weekend Schedule | Accelerated Track | Program Length | Key Clinical Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University – New Orleans | Hybrid | Yes | No | 36 months | Ochsner Medical Center |
| Southern University at New Orleans | On-campus | Yes | No | 24 months | Not publicly listed |
| LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans | On-campus | No | Yes | 36 months | Not publicly listed |
| Loyola University New Orleans | On-campus | No | No | 48 months | Ochsner Health |
Your background dictates which BSN pathway makes the most sense. Recent high school graduates typically thrive in a traditional four-year BSN at a campus with strong clinical partnerships in the New Orleans metro area. Career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field can fast-track through an accelerated BSN, often completing it in 12 to 18 months. Working LPNs or paramedics should look for LPN-to-BSN bridge programs or flexible evening and weekend schedules that let you keep your job while advancing your credentials.
Three numbers deserve your closest attention when comparing schools:
A campus visit helps you gauge culture and facilities, but the most useful part is a conversation with admissions. Ask for a clear prerequisite timeline: which general education and science courses you need before enrolling, and whether any have expiration dates. Also clarify application cycles, since some programs only start once a year, so you can plan ahead.
If the local BSN tracks don’t align with your schedule or budget, widen the lens. You can find nursing schools across Louisiana on topnursing.org/schools/louisiana/, where programs range from large public universities to smaller private colleges. A slightly longer commute or a different admission timeline might unlock the perfect fit.
Prospective nursing students in Metairie often have pressing questions about program quality, costs, and outcomes. Here are answers to the most common inquiries, based on the detailed research presented in this guide.
