5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Louisiana 2025

To become a registered nurse in Louisiana, you need to complete a nursing program and take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). Unfortunately, some nursing schools can be highly competitive.

The easiest nursing schools to get into are those with high acceptance rates. The good news is that Louisiana has several schools that accept most or all qualified applicants. Keep reading to discover the easiest nursing programs to get into in Louisiana.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Louisiana?

Nursing schools in Louisiana are somewhat competitive, but the level of competitiveness depends partially on the type of program you're applying for.

Students applying for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs have a greater chance of admission than those applying for an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) annual report, in 2024, ADN programs admitted 74% of qualified applicants, and BSN programs admitted 89% of qualified applicants.

Acceptance rates for nursing programs usually depend on how many applicants a program receives and how many spots are available in the program. As a result, even the easiest nursing degrees can have competitive admissions.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Louisiana Nursing Schools?

While specifics can vary, most programs have the same basic nursing school requirements. Many require you to have completed specific prerequisites, although some accept students who have not completed any prior college education. You may be able to find self-paced nursing prerequisites online.

You generally need a minimum GPA. This is usually between a 2.5 and 3.0. Many also require an entrance exam; the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) is most common, but there are others as well.

Depending on the school, there may be additional requirements you need to meet, like minimum ACT/SAT scores, or you may need to submit letters of recommendation or personal essays. After admissions, you'll often need to pass a background check and be up-to-date on vaccinations before you can start the program.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Louisiana

According to the LSBN, over a dozen colleges and universities in Louisiana had a 100% acceptance rate for their nursing programs in 2024. We've highlighted some of these programs that also have the easiest-to-meet application requirements.

1. McNeese State University

McNeese State University is a public institution in Lake Charles, LA. It offers a BSN that prepares students to enter the nursing profession as skilled and knowledgeable caregivers.

There are no special admissions requirements for the nursing program; students just need to be admitted to the university. This nursing program has accepted 100% of qualified applicants for the last few years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,489 (in-state); $9,989 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Bossier Parish Community College

At Bossier Parish Community College, students can earn an ADN at a full-time or part-time pace. To qualify, students must have completed all prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and have passed the TEAS.

BPCC, a public community college, is located in Bossier City, LA. It also offers a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to ADN pathway.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,283 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3. Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College offers an ADN that trains students to work as RNs in the New Orleans area and wherever else they want to provide healthcare. DCC is a public community college in New Orleans.

Admission to the program requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a handful of prerequisites with a 2.5 GPA, and the Kaplan pre-nursing entrance exam. Note that while DCC accepts all applicants some years, in others, there are more applicants than they can accept.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,279 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and ACEN

4. University of Holy Cross

Students at the University of Holy Cross can earn a BSN through a six-semester nursing curriculum. To qualify for admission, students must have already completed 32 semester hours with a GPA of at least 2.5, pass the TEAS, and submit three letters of recommendation.

The University of Holy Cross, located in New Orleans, is a private Catholic university. It has accepted 100% of applicants for the last few years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $16,576 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and ACEN

5. University of Louisiana at Monroe

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public institution in Monroe, LA. It offers a BSN through its Kitty DeGree School of Nursing.

The school requires nursing applicants to have completed all prerequisites with a 2.8 GPA, but does not require an entrance exam. An LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are also available through the school.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,190 per year (in-state); $21,290 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the best nursing schools that are easy to get into for this list, our methodology started by reviewing pre-licensure associate and bachelor's degrees. Then we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions on this list are regionally accredited and all nursing schools are accredited by either the ACEN or CCNE.
• Acceptance rates: All schools on this list had an acceptance rate of 100% in 2024.
• Admissions requirements: We focused on which schools had the easiest-to-meet admissions requirements.
• Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, all schools are approved by the LSBN and all had NCLEX pass rates of over 90% in 2024.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

Nursing degrees include a mix of nursing courses and hands-on clinical experiences. Beyond that, it depends on the type of program you're in.

Programs designed to lead to licensure, like Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) or BSN degrees, as well as LPN to RN degrees, usually require you to complete your courses on campus. They'll include labs, simulations, and clinical experience in a variety of settings.

RN to BSN programs often allow you to do coursework online and only require you to do clinicals in person. The easiest RN to BSN program online are those that allow you to complete your clinical hours where you work.

Graduate programs, like MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), provide advanced nursing education. You may also focus some of your credit hours on a particular specialty.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

While there are many nursing schools that can accept all qualified applicants in Louisiana, applying for nursing school can still be nerve-wracking. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the easiest nursing schools to get into, as well as nursing in general.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school is meant to be rigorous, and prospective students need to be prepared for that. However, how hard it is will depend on your strengths and weaknesses.

For many students, the hardest subject in nursing isn't one of the health sciences topics, but one of the general education or prerequisite courses, such as statistics or organic chemistry. The good news is that once these are out of the way, you can focus on your core nursing courses.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

What Is the Easiest Nursing School To Get Into in Louisiana?

Several nursing schools in Louisiana had 100% acceptance rates in 2024. Aside from those listed above, these also include:

• Louisiana State University (LSU) Alexandria
• LSU Health New Orleans
• Northwestern State University
• Southern University New Orleans

What Is the Hardest Nursing School To Get Into in Louisiana?

Several schools in Louisiana had lower acceptance rates in 2024 due to having more candidates than they had spots. Those with the lowest acceptance rates include:

• Baton Rouge Community College: 45% acceptance rate
• Louisiana Delta Community College: 50% acceptance rate
• South Louisiana Community College: 54% acceptance rate
• LSU Eunice: 59% acceptance rate

What Is the Lowest GPA To Get Into Nursing School?

Some schools in Louisiana don't list a required GPA. However, of those that do, 2.5 is the lowest accepted.

What Is the Career Outlook for Nurses in Louisiana?

The nursing career outlook is positive across the U.S., and that includes Louisiana. Projections Central estimates that job openings for registered nurses in Louisiana will increase 8% by 2032.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Nursing Degree in Louisiana?

How long it takes to complete a nursing degree in Louisiana will depend on the type of degree you're earning. Associate degrees usually take about two years after you've finished your prerequisites, and bachelor's degrees usually take two to three years after prerequisites.

Accelerated BSN programs, designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, typically take one to two years. Likewise, RN to BSN programs usually take one to two years.

Master's degrees in nursing usually take two to three years. DNP degrees usually take at least three years to complete.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Find the right nursing school for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.