Here's an overview of online colleges in Louisiana:
If you've already earned some college credits and you're ready to go back to school, Louisiana's Transfer Degree Guarantee program can help qualified students prepare to transfer from a community college to one of Louisiana's public four-year universities. However, what online college should you transfer to? This page might be able to help you come a decision.
On this page, we feature not only lists of the best online colleges in Louisiana, but also online colleges ranked by affordability, information regarding scholarships and grants specific to Louisiana, and data on the best jobs and industries in the Pelican State.
We have created multiple rankings to show the best online colleges in Louisiana, using various metrics so we can rank online colleges for different needs and goals. The "What Makes a Good Online College?" section of our "About Us" page outlines why we believe these factors can assist students in making an informed decision about what might be the best online college for their needs.
Every school on this page has been accredited by an official body such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Visit our "What is College Accreditation?" page to learn about the importance of accreditation, or the Louisiana Department of Education for specifics about accreditation in the state of Louisiana.
Students interested in distance learning options in Louisiana can use our ranking of the best online universities in Louisiana to help them make an informed decision about online education in the state. By browsing our rankings, students can compare a number of facts about the best online colleges in Louisiana, such as number of online programs offered, graduation rate and availability of tuition plans. Visit our methodologies page to learn more about how we use official data to evaluate schools.
Below are lists of the most affordable two- and four-year online colleges in Louisiana. We determined these lists by analyzing the in-state tuition costs each school reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The state of Louisiana is a strong proponent of education, as evidenced by its state financial aid programs and its educational outreach. In addition to a number of scholarships and grants designed to help offset the cost of college, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) publishes LOSFA LOOP, an informational resource for students, parents and more.
Take a look at how Louisiana financial aid programs can help to bridge the gap between cost and burden.
Louisiana's state scholarship programs are part of TOPS (the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students). Most recipients are chosen based on a combination of merit and need. Here are some examples.
Looking for more grant information? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Grants for tips on how to find grants, or our Ultimate Guide to Scholarships for similar tips on scholarships.
Although Louisiana financial aid is primarily focused on scholarship and grant programs, students are encouraged to look into federal and private student loan programs to find the solution that's best for them. Ideally, scholarships and grants will cover a portion of your college costs since those funds do not have to be repaid. However, if you need further help in paying for college, loans are available.
Get the scoop on how student loans work in the Ultimate Guide to Student Loans.
Enrollment by out-of-state students has gone up significantly at some Louisiana colleges and universities. Louisiana State University, for instance, has seen a 109 percent increase in non-resident students since 2017, according to news reports.
Top-tier online colleges can make Louisiana an attractive state for pursuing a higher education, but out-of-state tuition can be as much as three times the amount charged to residents. In order to reduce non-resident rates, consider if one of the following might be available to you:
Check with your school's admissions or financial aid office to learn about other options to offset out-of-state tuition. Colleges may have programs for veterans, military members, school employees and others.
Plus, check out the following links, which may be helpful to out-of-state students.
| Employment | Employment Growth | Median High School Salary | Median Bachelor's Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,034,990 | 8.3% | $29,464 | $49,321 |
*Industry rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
| Top Industries | Employment | Projected Growth | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipeline transportation | 544,730 | 10% | $68,238 |
| Oil and gas extraction | 770,660 | 10% | $62,835 |
| Petroleum and coal products manufacturing | 768,880 | 9% | $61,363 |
| Utilities | 1,051,640 | 9% | $58,525 |
| Support activities for mining | 824,480 | 9% | $59,114 |
| Chemical manufacturing | 1,056,410 | 9% | $57,180 |
| Rail transportation | 775,640 | 9% | $58,242 |
| Waste management and remediation services | 884,010 | 9% | $56,571 |
| Construction of buildings | 1,018,910 | 9% | $54,431 |
| Mining (except oil and gas) | 783,130 | 8% | $55,477 |
With a rich environment full of resources and a sprawling network of rivers running within its borders, Louisiana has been a hub for the harvesting and transportation of natural resources ever since its early days as a state. With the high production of crude oil and natural gas taking place in Louisiana by companies like Newpark Resources and Halliburton, those who want to earn jobs related to oil and gas extraction, as well as petroleum and coal products manufacturing, should have good opportunities to build their careers in the state.
In addition, many other top industries in Louisiana work to supplement these key natural resource industries. Pipeline transportation, support for mining, waste management and construction of buildings are all important components of building an oil and gas industry, and they have created many opportunities outside of the extraction and mining field for Louisianans.
However, while it is often simple to earn an entry-level position in one of these top industries, workers in Louisiana can greatly improve their job prospects -- and potentially their quality of life -- by investing in their education. According to the Lumina Foundation, the current rate of people in Louisiana who have completed higher education is 44.2 percent, which is lower than the national average of 47.6 percent.
In order to help correct this, the state has implemented programs through Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association (LIDEA) that can provide the knowledge, skills and training that can benefit employees. Higher education can help Louisiana workers earn higher salaries, gain better job security, promote to management positions in their field and more, making it an endeavor well worth considering.
To find out more about the employment landscape in the state, continue reading for information about the best careers in specific parts of Louisiana.
The New Orleans-Metairie area has several energy and manufacturing companies where residents can work, such as Boeing, Chevron, Lockheed Martin and Shell. As a result, this area is well-suited for chemical engineers, geoscientists, petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, gaugers and similar workers. In addition, New Orleans hosts various companies in other sectors -- like health care, education and governmental -- with legal departments that need law experts, creating potential opportunities for lawyers and attorneys to build their careers.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | Postsecondary nondegree award | $122,010 | 2,380 |
| Chemical Engineers | Bachelor's degree | $109,120 | 480 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | High school diploma or equivalent | $67,340 | 1,800 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | Bachelor's degree | $109,590 | 190 |
| Lawyers | Doctoral or professional degree | $123,490 | 3,780 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
For chemical engineers and chemical plant and system operators in the Baton Rouge area, companies like BASF, ExxonMobil and CB&I present many opportunities to find employment. In addition, professionals who want to pursue construction management careers in Baton Rouge may be well suited at companies like Performance Contractors, ISC Constructors and MAPP Construction Inc.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineers | Bachelor's degree | $130,970 | 650 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | High school diploma or equivalent | $83,720 | 1,030 |
| Construction Managers | Bachelor's degree | $95,970 | 1,120 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $72,350 | 1,460 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | High school diploma or equivalent | $95,410 | 2,220 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
From registered nurses to medical and health services managers to nurse practitioners, medical professionals in the Shreveport-Bossier City region can find many opportunities. Some of the top employers in the area include the Willis-Knighton Medical Center, the Christus Schumpert Highland Hospital and the University Health-Shreveport and Minden Medical Center. Meanwhile, those who work as general and operations managers may be able to find employment at some of the large industrial companies in the city, such as Frymaster L.L.C., Libbey Glass, Inc., Benteler Steel and Calumet Shreveport Lubricants & Waxes.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | Bachelor's degree | $100,620 | 2,490 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | Bachelor's degree | $93,550 | N/A |
| Registered Nurses | Bachelor's degree | $66,950 | 5,350 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Master's degree | $115,100 | 250 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | Postsecondary nondegree award | $65,790 | 340 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.