Online RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Louisiana

1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

ULL’s 100% Online RN to BSN is an incredibly popular choice in Louisiana—more than 50% of RNs in the state choose this challenging & well-reviewed program! That’s probably because it’s convenient (e.g. 4 start dates), relatively affordable, and backed by a big name. ULL’s Department of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence with great NCLEX pass rates and an Online MSN. We like the fact that the Online RN to BSN is thoughtfully planned—the curriculum includes unique coursework in disaster training. Better yet, there’s no expiration date for General Education (GE) credits.

2. University of Louisiana Monroe

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 14 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

ULM’s 100% Online RN to BSN runs a close second to ULL! The Kitty DeGree School of Nursing isn’t a big research powerhouse, but it’s a well-established school with top-notch NCLEX pass rates (e.g. 95%+) and a superb record in job placement after graduation (e.g. 100%). And it offers Online MSN programs in APRN specialties. If you’re a student in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, be sure to ask about transfer pathways. Graduates with associate nursing degrees from any of the 12 institutions affiliated with LCTCS qualify for a special tuition rate on the Online RN to BSN program.

3. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

The #3 Best spot in Louisiana goes to NSULA’s super-affordable Online RN to BSN. It’s offered by a College of Nursing & School of Allied Health with strong NCLEX pass rates, excellent independent reviews, and a commitment to quality. The College actually tracks Nursing Program Outcomes, including employer satisfaction statistics. In this 100% online program, you’ll take 8 courses, including two 5-credit practicums that can be completed in your local community. Transferring from a Louisiana ADN program? NSULA has articulation agreements with a number of Louisiana colleges & universities.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Louisiana

Louisiana is a highly affordable state for Online RN to BSN programs! For our Cheapest LA rankings, we’ve featured degrees that are under $9,000 in total tuition. You’ll see some of them pop up in our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. If you’re willing pay between $9,000-$10,000, you could also consider McNeese (which is even cheaper with the Preferred Tuition Rate), ULL, Southeastern Louisiana, and Nicholls State!

1. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

NSULA’s 100% Online RN to BSN is offered at a flat tuition rate. Prices are the same for in-state and out-of-state students; military & dependents are eligible for a a heavily discounted military tuition rate. There are no mandatory fees, but there will be a one-time application fee.

2. Louisana College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Tuition for Louisiana College’s 100% Online RN to BSN is charged at a special rate. When you do the math, the program ends up being ~$1,500 more than NSULA. Louisiana College is a private Christian school, so prices are the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence.

3. University of Louisiana Monroe

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Tuition for ULM’s Online RN to BSN is very straightforward. All in-state and out-of-state students pay the same affordable per credit rate. This rate also applies to any General Education (GE) credits you may need to complete. In total, ULM’s program is around $500 more than Louisiana College.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana

Our Fastest LA rankings are limited to Online RN to BSN programs that take less than 1 year/3 semesters to complete on a full-time schedule. You’ll notice that many other programs in Louisiana will take 12 or 14 months. If you’d like to investigate extra-quick options, check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. McNeese State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

On a turbo-charged schedule, McNeese’s 100% Online RN to BSN takes 10 months. Accelerated classes are 7-weeks long, with a 1-week break between each course. So you might end up taking two BSN-level courses—including practicums—every two months (10 courses = 30 credit hours). There are 6 separate start dates every year.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Louisiana

RN to BSN Requirements in Louisiana

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Louisiana universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. Some LA schools may allow you to apply before you have passed the NCLEX exam. Check the admissions section for details.

• The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) can answer any questions you may have about state licensure.
• LSBN also posts a list of Board-Approved Schools of Nursing and publishes NCLEX pass rates for individual Louisiana schools in its Annual Report.

State Authorization: Do you live outside of state?

• We’re happy to report that almost all Louisiana Online RN to BSN programs are open to RNs with a valid U.S. license. But it never hurts to check the fine print on state authorization!
• One outlier was Nicholls State’s Online RN-BSN—Nicholls wants to see documentation of an unencumbered & unrestricted Louisiana RN license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana Available?

Absolutely. Almost all—if not all—Online RN to BSN programs in our Louisiana listings are 100% online with no on-campus requirements. And they are all CCNE- or ACEN-accredited. So you can truly have your pick!

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Louisiana?

Not really. Because of accreditation regulations, Online RN to BSN programs in Louisiana will almost always contain on-the-ground practicums. But fear not! These experiences won’t be like your associate degree or diploma in nursing clinicals.

In Louisiana, BSN-level practicums tend to focus on fieldwork in two areas: Community/Public Health Nursing and Leadership & Management. You’ll see these elements in programs from NSULA, ULM, McNeese, Louisiana College—the list goes on. You’ll typically be able to tackle practicums in your local community and current workplace.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Louisiana Online RN to BSN Programs?

Not necessarily. Statistics is still a standard requirement at many Louisiana schools, but you may not need to have it when you apply. At places like ULL and ULM, you can take math/statistics as a “co-requisite”—that means you can complete General Education (GE) credits at the same time as RN to BSN credits.

If you’re interested in a program from a Christian university like Louisiana College, keep in mind that religion credits may also be listed as prerequisites.