Best Online Nursing Programs in Lake Charles, LA (2026)
Lake Charles, Louisiana has a population of about 81,679. The city’s median household income is $56,864 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lake Charles, with tuition ranging from $1,770 to $16,402 per year. In Louisiana, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $225,440 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lake Charles
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lake Charles city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SOWELA Technical Community College | Lake Charles, LA | 3.3 mi | $4,265 - $16,402 | – |
| Lamar State College-Orange | Orange, TX | 46.9 mi | $2,832 - $13,824 | – |
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur | Port Arthur, TX | 48.1 mi | $1,770 - $11,281 | – |
| South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette, LA | 69.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lake Charles
Lake Charles is part of the Lake Charles, LA metro area (BLS area code 29340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Louisiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,240 | Lake Charles, LA | $91,083 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $51,430 | Lake Charles, LA | $59,872 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $225,440 | LA statewide | $262,445 |
| Nurse Midwife | $95,420 | LA statewide | $111,083 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,380 | Lake Charles, LA | $148,289 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,470 | Lake Charles, LA | $35,471 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Lake Charles at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,864 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Calcasieu County | 5,461 workers, 78 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lake Charles-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Sulphur, LA – 8.6 mi away (20,272 pop)
- Port Arthur, TX – 48.9 mi away (157,732 pop)
- Beaumont, TX – 56.2 mi away (147,935 pop)
- Abbeville, LA – 67.0 mi away (20,139 pop)
- Lafayette, LA – 70.7 mi away (267,376 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lake Charles, LA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lake Charles. The closest is McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Louisiana Community College (69.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lake Charles?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lake Charles are: Nurse Anesthetist ($225,440), Nurse Practitioner ($127,380), Nurse Midwife ($95,420). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Louisiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Sulphur instead of Lake Charles?
Sulphur, LA is 8.6 miles from Lake Charles and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Lake Charles an affordable place to study nursing?
Lake Charles’s median household income of $56,864 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lake Charles while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.