Looking for a quality Louisiana DNP? This practical guide & directory contains rankings of the best and most affordable DNP programs in Louisiana, notes on online & hybrid LA doctorates, and advice on BSN to DNP options. Ready to select a school? Jump ahead to our detailed listings.
Top Louisiana DNP Programs
To find the best DNP programs in LA, we evaluated independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees, prioritizing any Louisiana school with high DNP & MSN placements in U.S. News & World Report. In the final reckoning, we also considered factors such as reputation and student reviews.
1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
ULL’s DNP program hits Louisiana’s #1 spot for a host of reasons. It comes from a Department of Nursing and College of Nursing & Allied Health Professions with sturdy rankings (e.g. top 50 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs), strong FNP certification pass rates (e.g. 96% or higher), and a solid reputation. ULL is a public research university with the second largest enrollment of students in the state. These kinds of schools tend to be well-funded.
ULL also comes with a name recognition factor. The College has partnerships with many regional medical providers, including Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette General Health, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and more. Be sure to ask the DNP program coordinator about funding opportunities—doctoral nursing students may qualify for nursing graduate scholarships.
2. Southeastern Louisiana University
SELU’s DNP program runs a close second to ULL! That’s not surprising, considering that the two universities have a partnership where they provide stand-alone—but mutually supportive—DNP programs. So you’ll see a lot of similarities in the doctorates. Better yet, SELU’s School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is stuffed with quality markers. It’s been recognized by the LSNA as a Nursing School of the Year in Advanced Practice. It has a solid core of graduate faculty. And it tends to receive great reviews from students, who praise the rigorous programs and the teaching staff.
You should find plenty of ideas at SELU for your capstone project. The College oversees the Center for Nursing Research in Education and Practice and the faculty-led Interprofessional Collaborative Research Committee. It also has practice partnerships with 100+ agencies in the area. While you’re researching SELU, you may wish to ask the DNP program coordinator about FNP certification pass rates (we didn’t see them quoted) and your eligibility for School of Nursing scholarships.
3. Loyola University New Orleans
Thinking of going private? Check out LOYNO’s DNP program in the College of Nursing and Health. Though it’s open to students of all faiths, LOYNO is a Jesuit university, which means it places an emphasis on ethics and educating the whole person. The BSN to DNP pathway is just as flexible as ULL or SELU’s program and it leads to strong FNP certification pass rates. LOYNO also does well rankings for Online Graduate Nursing Programs (e.g. top 45).
The other bonus? The College of Nursing and Health tends to receive positive reviews on independent sites and messageboards. Graduates say that the nursing programs are demanding and rigorous, with good clinical training. LOYNO’s DNP is more expensive than public university programs, which may factor into your decision. Reviewers also mentioned that graduate students are usually responsible for finding all of their clinical placements.
Most Affordable DNP Programs in Louisiana
Our list of the cheapest DNPs in Louisiana is based on the per credit tuition rate for each program. However, the tuition & fee structure at Louisiana public universities can be confusing! In some cases, we had to check quoted rates against tuition data from U.S. News & World Report DNP rankings. Ask the DNP program coordinator for a true breakdown of costs.
1. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
DNP Tuition & Fees
Students in NSULA’s DNP program pay the eNSU flat rate tuition. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional course and/or professional fees may be assessed as applicable.
2. Southeastern Louisiana University
DNP Tuition & Fees
As far as we can determine, DNP students pay the graduate tuition rate at SELU—check with the program coordinator. The per credit rate is fairly affordable for in-state residents, but it’s very high for out-of-state residents. Additional course and program specific fees may apply.
3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
DNP Tuition & Fees
In-state and out-of-state residents pay the same per credit tuition rate for the DNP—online students automatically receive an in-state tuition incentive. There are additional distance learning fees.
Online DNP Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana universities love to offer online DNPs. In our listings, you’ll see that most schools have at least one distance learning program. As always, we recommend you read the fine print—there’s usually going to be a campus component. For example:
- Online BSN to DNP Programs in LA: Students in SELU and ULL’s BSN to DNP pathways visit the campus twice, at the beginning and end of the program (for the DNP project presentation). LOYNO’s degree has an annual orientation or intensive, and a project defense.
- Online Post-Master’s DNP Programs in LA: SELU, ULL, and LOYNO’s post-master’s DNP programs have the same campus requirements as the BSN to DNP (e.g. 2-3 visits). NSULA students may have to attend the Natchitoches campus for commencement and the Shreveport/Alexandria campus for project defense.
If you’re considering LSUHSC or SUBR, ask the DNP program coordinator about online elements. We’re assuming these programs are on-campus or hybrid, but we couldn’t find any specifics.
You’ll also need to be sure you’re eligible to apply. Because of distance learning restrictions, online DNP programs may not be able to accept certain out-of-state applicants. Most Louisiana universities try to make this clear (e.g. LOYNO has a School of Nursing State Authorization List and Map in its Accreditation & State Authorization section).
Note: Interested in other southern opportunities? Check out the listings of Online DNP Programs. They are organized by state.
BSN to DNP Programs in Louisiana
Our listings contain links to each BSN to DNP program in Louisiana. Here’s a quick summary of what you can expect from different universities.
- Multiple APRN Specialties: LSUHSC is the go-to option. This is where you’ll find tracks in multiple APRN specialties, leadership subjects, sub-specialties (e.g. advanced oncology nursing), and dual concentrations.
- FNP: If you’re primarily interested in the FNP, you’ll have much more choice. Like LSUHSC, LOYNO, SELU, and ULL also offer BSN to DNP programs in this specialty. If you choose to pursue the BSN to DNP path at ULL, you must complete your master’s-level clinical hours in Louisiana.
- Nurse Anesthesia: You’ll be able to compare & contrast LSUHSC and FranU’s DNP-NA. Both schools publish CNE pass rates & achievement data on their program websites.
Note: Our directory of on-campus and online BSN to DNP Programs list programs in all 50 states.
Louisiana Nursing Organizations
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN)
- Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP)
- Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA)
- Louisiana League for Nursing (LLN)
- Louisiana Organization for Nursing Leadership (LONL)
Below you'll find a list of all of the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs available in Louisiana.