Nursing Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Baton Rouge

Choosing the right nursing school is a critical decision for aspiring nurses, and rankings provide valuable guidance by highlighting programs with strong outcomes. This article presents the best nursing schools in Baton Rouge, focusing on NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criteria. Registerednursing.org creates these rankings to help students identify top-performing programs based on objective data. For more details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

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Yearly Nursing Graduates

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Top Performing Schools

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Pass Rate by Program Size

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Biggest Improvements

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#1

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

Baton Rouge, LA - Private 4-year - franu.edu

Bachelor's - Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Pre-Licensure BSN program is a comprehensive 4-year campus-based curriculum requiring 120 credit hours. This Roman Catholic-affiliated program emphasizes holistic patient care through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission is competitive, requiring a 2.75 GPA in pre-nursing courses and a proficient TEAS exam score. The program boasts exceptional NCLEX performance with 98.82% pass rate in 2023 and 99.12% in 2024. ACEN-accredited with state-of-the-art simulation labs, the program integrates ethical decision-making, advocacy skills, and service learning while offering financial aid options.

• 4-year program duration
• 120 credit hours total
• Campus-based learning
• Holistic patient care focus
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• Competitive admission process
• 2.75 GPA requirement
• TEAS exam required
• Financial aid available
• State-of-the-art simulation lab

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Accelerated BSN program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University offers a 16-month intensive pathway for bachelor's degree holders seeking nursing careers. This campus-based program requires a 3.0 GPA and science/ethics prerequisites, preparing students through evidence-based care and leadership development. ACEN-accredited with a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, the program combines rigorous academics with clinical immersion. Financial aid is available for this Roman Catholic-affiliated program, which leads to licensure with a median annual salary of $77,600. The curriculum emphasizes professional growth through hands-on training and supportive faculty guidance.

• 16-month program duration
• ACEN accredited
• 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
• Clinical experience included
• 3.0 GPA requirement
• Financial aid available
• Median salary $77,600
• Leadership and evidence-based care focus
• Prerequisites in science and ethics
• Diverse peer group

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#2

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, LA - Public 4-Year - subr.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Southern University and A&M College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, established in 1988, has graduated over 2,000 nurses with licensure exam pass rates consistently above national averages. As a Historically Black College/University, it's a leading producer of African American baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the U.S. The program requires ACT or SAT scores for admission and offers both campus-based and online RN-to-BSN options. Recent NCLEX pass rates were 89.36% in 2023 and 85.59% in 2024, demonstrating strong preparation for licensure. With competitive tuition and a comprehensive curriculum, this program provides accessible nursing education with proven outcomes.

• Over 2,000 BSN graduates since 1988.
• Licensure exam pass rates above national average.
• Large producer of African American BSN RNs.
• Offers online RN to BSN program.
• Competitive tuition and fees.

*U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2024, National Center for Education Statistics.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

For those new to nursing, the first step in becoming a registered nurse is enrolling in an entry-level training program that will prepare you for the NCLEX licensing exam and your first job as an RN. In Baton Rouge, licensed practical nurses can expand their skills and earn their RN licensure via an LPN to RN program, and others can choose from Associate’s Degree in Nursing programs and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing programs, both of which prepare students for the NCLEX exam but with different completion times and tuition costs.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have experience providing basic patient care, and for many LPNs becoming an RN opens the door to higher pay and additional career opportunities. LPN to RN programs build upon an LPN’s previous training and work experience to provide a pathway to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing and preparation for the NCLEX. Baton Rouge Community College offers an LPN to RN program that is designed to help experience practical nurses earn their ADN and take the NCLEX exam.

ADN Programs

Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs teach aspiring nurses without prior nursing experience about the fundamentals of nursing practice via classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice hours. ADN programs generally only require a high school diploma or GED as prerequisites and can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. The ADN program at Baton Rouge Community College is an evidence-based care-focused program that offers admissions applications in the spring for the following fall.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are generally four-year college degrees that have higher tuition rates than ADN programs. However, BSN programs provide additional training and coursework beyond the associate’s degree level and provide graduates with a competitive edge in their job searches as well as higher starting salaries. Franciscan University offers a BSN program that is completed in four years of full-time study and trains nurses to become nurse generalists ready to assume leadership roles in evidence-based care.

Find out more about Louisiana Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

For nurses with their ADN degrees, earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to higher salaries and additional job opportunities. However, the idea of going back to school can be overwhelming for a working nurse. However, specialized RN to BSN bridge programs make it easier for working nurses to earn a higher degree while continuing to work full- or part-time. RN to BSN programs build upon the existing ADN education and work experience to allow students to finish their bachelor’s degree in less time than a traditional direct-entry BSN program.

RN to BSN Programs

William Carey University at Baton Rouge General offers an RN to BSN program that is designed with the working professional in mind. The program is offered in an online format, with the nursing component designed to be completed in just 12 months. General education courses can be taken at the student’s individual pace.

Find out more about Louisiana RN to BSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Baton Rouge, LA

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner, or as a nurse leader, educator or administrator, an advanced practice nursing degree will prepare you for these important nursing positions. APRN programs are designed for professional nurses who have earned their bachelor’s degree, and in many cases are available on a part-time basis or in an online format to accommodate nurses who wish to continue working while they complete their higher degree.

MSN Programs

The MSN program at Southern University and A&M College offers degree pathways for aspiring nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and administrators. The MSN degree program prepares future nurse leaders to become certified for excellence in their practice across diverse healthcare settings. In addition to a BSN degree, applicants must also have two years of professional nursing experience as a prerequisite for entering the MSN program.

Find out more about Louisiana Nurse Practitioner Programs.

DNP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are terminal degrees in nursing that prepare RNs with their master’s degrees for leadership positions in nursing practice and academia. The DNP program at Southeastern Louisiana University’s curriculum includes biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical scholarship, and analytic methods, preventative care, organizational and systems leadership, healthcare policy, project planning and practicum hours. The Ph.D. in Nursing program at Southern University is offered with a focus on scientific research related to vulnerable populations.

Find out more about Louisiana DNP Programs.