Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Louisiana. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
We only looked at colleges that are accredited to ensure they adhere to high educational standards established by the accrediting body. For most of the Louisiana colleges on our list, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) serves as the accrediting agency. Its mission is educational quality and improved effectiveness of its member institutions.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Louisiana
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Louisiana
Does Louisiana have good online colleges and universities?
Yes and no. Louisiana’s online degree programs are not particularly highly ranked, but they are affordable. While the programs are modestly ranked overall, there are nonetheless some universities that earn high rankings for specific online degrees, according to U.S. News & World Report. For instance, Loyola University New Orleans ranks No. 9 in the nation for Online Bachelor’s in Psychology programs, and University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranks No. 10 for Online Master’s in Nursing programs. At the community college level, Louisiana also offers extensive online course, certificate, and degree options. For example, South Louisiana Community College offers three online associate degree programs.
It’s worth mentioning that there are many excellent online college programs available in other states as well. If you’re open to attending a school that’s located in another state, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top 30 options in the entire United States for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Louisiana cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some colleges offer discounted rates for online courses regardless of where you live, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Most online degree programs in Louisiana charge the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students (though at the community college level, in-state students tend to pay less than out-of-state students).
Why should you choose Louisiana for online higher education?
Louisiana has decent online bachelor’s and graduate degree programs that stand out for their affordability. Certain programs are particularly highly ranked, such as the aforementioned Online Bachelor’s in Psychology program at Loyola University New Orleans and Online Master’s in Nursing program at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The Cost of Online College in Louisiana
How much does an online degree in Louisiana cost?
The cost of an online degree in Louisiana depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you choose to pursue. For example, undergraduate courses are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you may find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save a lot of money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the current rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Louisiana below:
Most affordable online college in Louisiana: Louisiana Tech University, $185 per credit
Most expensive online college in Louisiana: McNeese State University, $560 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Louisiana to get in-state tuition rates?
Louisiana requires you to live in the state for 12 consecutive months prior to the term for which you are declaring Louisiana residency. In order to qualify for in-state tuition, you must prove that you came to the state for a reason other than education. This requires, for instance, working and paying income taxes in the state, refraining from enrolling in college courses during the year you are establishing residency, changing your driver’s license, etc.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Louisiana?
Louisiana offers several ways to reduce your tuition costs. One is through participation in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market, which enables residents of southern states to pay in-state tuition at institutions located in the south. This can end up saving you thousands, even tens of thousands, on your degree.
The state also sponsors the Louisiana GO Grant, which awards need-based aid of $300 to $3,000 per year to Louisiana students who attend accredited postsecondary institutions in the state and have unmet financial need. Eligibility for the GO Grant is determined based on FAFSA application data, so it’s important to file early and accurately. The FAFSA will also show if you are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and other financial aid awards.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Louisiana
In addition to the Academic Common Market and GO Grant, there are a number of other programs available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are also based on financial need, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent financial aid options for you below:
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Scholarships
This is a suite of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend a Louisiana public college or university, a school in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, a Louisiana-approved proprietary and cosmetology school, or an institution that’s a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges & Universities. Award amounts differ by school, but are typically $3,000 to $8,500 per year.
Who’s eligible? Louisiana students who will attend an accredited two- or four-year institution. Specific requirements vary by scholarship.
Contact information: [email protected] | 800-259-5626
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
This is a competitive scholarship that awards $2,000 per year to an undergraduate student and $3,000 per year to a graduate student pursuing a degree in forestry, wildlife, or marine science at a Louisiana public college or university.
Who’s eligible? Louisiana residents enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in forestry, wildlife, or marine science at a Louisiana public college or university.
Contact information: [email protected] | 800-259-5626
M.J. Foster Promise Program Scholarship
This state-sponsored program awards need-based funding to students at two-year community colleges, technical colleges, and select universities who are majoring in certain high-demand, high-wage occupations aligned with Louisiana’s workforce priorities.
Who’s eligible? Louisiana residents (21 years or older) who will earn a certificate or associate degree in high-demand, high-wage occupations such as construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, or transportation and logistics.
Contact information: [email protected] | 800-259-5626
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Louisiana
If you’re still in the process of assessing your college options, you may also be undecided on your major. When selecting a major, one of the most important factors to consider is your future employability. Thinking about which industries and careers are growing the fastest in Louisiana can make it easier to find a job once you graduate, and being in demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Occupational Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have particularly high projected growth rates in Louisiana:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Louisiana, they earn an average salary of $118,210.
- Growth: 37.7%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $90,410 in Louisiana.
- Growth: 27.6%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Market research analysts and marketing specialists use data to understand consumer preferences and tailor a company’s marketing campaigns to what will bring the greatest return on investment. In Louisiana, market research analysts and marketing specialists make an average salary of $58,610.
- Growth: 20.1%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Marketing, Bachelor’s in Communications, Bachelor’s in Market Research, Bachelor’s in Statistics, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) are one of the most in-demand health professionals. They work under physicians to support patient care and must complete extensive education and medical training. They are not as highly compensated as physicians, but they still tend to make six-figure salaries. The average annual PA salary in Louisiana is $119,600.
- Growth: 18.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
Personal Care Aides
As Louisiana’s population ages and chronic and acute medical conditions become more prevalent, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In Louisiana, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $21,110.
- Growth: 16.5%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting