Best Online Nursing Programs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of about 376,035. The city’s median household income is $55,339 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of New Orleans, with tuition ranging from $4,203 to $15,772 per year. In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $230,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to New Orleans
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from New Orleans city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunez Community College | Chalmette, LA | 8.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans, LA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Cliff College-Metairie | Metairie, LA | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northshore Technical Community College | Lacombe, LA | 16.9 mi | $4,203 - $15,772 | – |
| Delta College-Slidell Campus | Slidell, LA | 17.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near New Orleans
New Orleans is part of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (BLS area code 35380). 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 | $81,920 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $88,467 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,800 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $63,499 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $230,180 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $248,575 |
| Nurse Midwife | $95,420 | LA statewide | $103,045 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,670 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $137,873 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,550 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $35,151 |
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.
New Orleans at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,339 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other New Orleans-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Slidell, LA – 17.5 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Kenner, LA – 19.9 mi away (67,089 pop)
- Mandeville, LA – 23.3 mi away (95,576 pop)
- Hammond, LA – 43.6 mi away (69,616 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 56.9 mi away (222,131 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near New Orleans, LA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of New Orleans. The closest is Nunez Community College in Chalmette, LA (8.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Delta College-Slidell Campus (17.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near New Orleans?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near New Orleans are: Nurse Anesthetist ($230,180), Nurse Practitioner ($127,670), 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 Slidell instead of New Orleans?
Slidell, LA is 17.5 miles from New Orleans 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 New Orleans an affordable place to study nursing?
New Orleans’s median household income of $55,339 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Orleans 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.