The Best Online Colleges in Louisiana

Nicholls State University teaches over 6,000 students and offers more than 80 degree programs. The university is one of the first in America to offer a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. Its online program, Nicholls Online, began in 2013. It offers its courses in 8–week terms.

Nicholls Online offers several associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Associate degrees include petroleum studies and science in safety technology. Bachelor’s degree options include history and sociology. Master’s degree offerings include education and nursing. Certifications available include business administration.

Resources available to Nicholls State University students include online counseling, technical support and an online library with information delivery services and access to a variety of academic databases online.

Renowned for its science and engineering programs, Louisiana Tech University is a space–grant university with over 9,000 students enrolled. NSA and the Department of Homeland Security recognize the university as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Research and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research, respectively.

Louisiana Tech University’s Global Campus offers an array of associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs online. Online associate degrees include general studies. Online bachelor’s degrees include health informatics. Online master’s degrees include engineering and English. Certification options available online include technical writing and information technology.

Online student resources include an online job board, online writing assistance via Skype and an online library with access to a wealth of databases, academic journals and much more.

The University of Louisiana, Lafayette is one of the largest universities in Louisiana, boasting more than 17,000 students and over 100 academic programs. The university offered the first master’s degree in computer science in America and even launched Louisiana’s first student–built satellite.

The University of Louisiana, Lafayette offers several baccalaureate, master and certificate programs online. Online bachelor’s degrees include kinesiology and nursing. Online master’s degrees include education and systems technology. Online certifications available include professional writing and business administration.

Online student resources include 24/7 technical support over the phone, an online job board, 24/7 online tutoring for select subjects and courses and an online library with librarian live chat and access to several academic and government databases.

The third largest college in the state, Southeastern Louisiana University educates more than 15,000 students every year. Online students can enroll in individual classes or earn degrees. Some programs are available fully online, with others require some visits to the Hammond campus. Undergraduate options include general studies and family and consumer science. Graduate students can earn a master's degree in teaching young special education students. With an accelerated RN-to-BSN, an master's in nursing, and a doctor of nursing practice, SLU is one of the best online colleges in Louisiana for current and future nurses. Nurses can also earn postgraduate certificates online.

Prospective students may apply for fall, spring, or summer admission. Eligibility requirements include a minimum 2.35 GPA for undergraduates and a minimum 2.5 GPA for graduates. Applicants must also submit standardized test scores. Students may receive merit scholarships based on their GPAs and ACT scores.

Based in Baton Rouge, Southern University and A&M College is part of a multi-school system dedicated to innovative research and accessible academics. Through Moodle, SU offers online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Options include an associate of applied science in health information technology, a bachelor of science in psychology, an executive master's degree in criminal justice, and an executive master's degree in public administration.

Like other online schools in Louisiana, SU bases its tuition rates on residency status. All distance learners may apply for financial support, including departmental scholarships, awards for master's candidates, and grants for female students. Admission requirements include a minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduates and a minimum 2.7 GPA for graduates. Prospective students must also submit standardized test scores. Learners over 25 years old are exempt from GPA and test requirements, but must take the COMPASS placement examination.

Founded in 1959 as a small commuter college, Louisiana State University of Alexandria now offers 11 academic programs for distance learners. Online associate degrees provide students with the general education courses necessary to transfer into a four-year program. Alternatively, distance learners can opt for a full bachelor's curriculum, with options in business administration, psychology, criminal justice, and medical laboratory science. LSUA also offers an accelerated RN-to-BSN pathway that allows students to earn a degree in as little as 14 months.

Distance learners can apply for admission during the fall and summer semesters. Program candidates must hold a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit ACT or SAT scores. LSUA stands out among other online colleges in Louisiana for its remarkably low tuition rates. Out-of-state learners pay the in-state rate.

Louisiana State University Shreveport operates a robust distance education platform facilitated by Moodle. Bachelor's degree candidates can choose a program in marketing, mass communication, or management and administration. Undergraduates who want to create their own interdisciplinary major can pursue the general studies track. Graduate options include a master of business administration and a master of education in curriculum and instruction. Nine distinct tracks exist for online MBA students, including finance, nonprofit administration, human resource management, and entrepreneurship and family enterprise. Education students can choose a specialization in ESL or reading and literacy.

Admission requirements vary depending on program, but undergraduate candidates generally need a minimum 2.0 GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Graduate applicants must possess at least a 2.5 GPA. Distance learners pay different tuition rates based on degree level and specific program. LSUS offers entry dates in May, July, August, and October.

Founded in 1956, the University of New Orleans educates 8,000 students annually. Students can pursue a hybrid learning experience by combining traditional coursework with asynchronous remote classes. Alternately, learners can earn their degrees entirely online. UNO offers nine programs for distance learners, including undergraduate options in philosophy, interdisciplinary studies, and urban studies and planning. Graduate students can pick from English, transportation, engineering management, romance languages, and hospitality and tourism management. UNO is one of the few online colleges in Louisiana to offer a master of fine arts in creative writing. MFA students enjoy remote seminars, virtual workshops, and support from New Orleans' respected arts community.

Prospective learners can apply for fall, spring, or summer entry, with corresponding deadlines in August, December, and May. All applicants must submit relevant standardized test scores and possess a minimum 2.5 GPA. Distance learners enjoy low tuition rates and ample scholarship opportunities.

The University of Holy Cross is part of an eight-college nationwide network of Holy Cross schools. True to its mission of providing accessible and holistic education to persons of all backgrounds, UHC offers four online graduate degree programs through the Canvas learning platform. One notable option is the master of arts in Catholic theology, a hybrid program that combines asynchronous online coursework with traditional classes on the New Orleans campus.

Online graduate students may pursue a master of education in teaching and learning with concentration areas in religious education, ESL, and reading. The M.Ed. trains experienced educators to become teacher-leaders. Each program includes a capstone action research project in the student's area of interest.

Prospective students can apply for spring, summer, or fall admission. Respective deadlines are November, May, and July. Unlike other online schools in Louisiana, UHC does not charge tuition based on residency status. All distance learners pay the same rate.

Located in Lake Charles, McNeese State University was established as a junior college subsidiary of Louisiana State University in the 1930s. Today, McNeese offers comprehensive bachelor's and master's programs. Though McNeese is a member of the University of Louisiana System, it operates as an independent college.

McNeese's online offerings include eight master's degrees, seven bachelor's degrees, two associate degrees, and eight certificate programs. None of these programs require students to visit campus. Degree fields offered include education, criminal justice, nursing, psychology, sociology, paralegal studies, and business administration. Students can also choose from seven hybrid M.Ed. programs that require some on-campus coursework. Online programs at McNeese currently enroll more than 600 students.

McNeese delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system. Though McNeese charges out-of-state online students higher tuition, it still ranks among the more affordable online colleges in Louisiana.

Located in Ruston, Louisiana Tech University holds acclaim for the original research that it produces and the technology-related programs that it offers. The college originally catered to the Second Industrial Revolution, beginning operations as the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana. While the school maintains those roots, it now offers programs across many disciplines.

The university's online offerings include six master's degrees, one bachelor's degree, and six certificate programs. Online students can pursue disciplines such as technical writing, business, healthcare informatics, history, English, industrial engineering, and technology management. Louisiana Tech delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system without on-campus requirements.

Louisiana Tech does not charge out-of-state tuition rates unless students take more than six credits during a semester. For this reason, the university garners a spot among the more affordable online colleges in Louisiana.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe holds membership with the University of Louisiana System. ULM opened in 1930s as a junior college and has since expanded to offer diverse undergraduate and graduate degrees. The school offers popular programs in areas like marriage and family therapy, business, English, theatre, and pharmacy.

ULM's online programs include 15 bachelor's degrees, 25 master's degrees, an associate degree, and two doctoral degrees. Online students can pursue degrees in fields such as gerontology, counseling, education, business, humanities, general studies, and behavioral sciences. ULM delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system without on-campus requirements.

ULM earns a place among the more affordable online colleges in Louisiana by offering affordable per-credit and per-semester tuition rates to in-state students. Out-of-state students pay higher rates.

Based in the Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks neighborhood, the University of New Orleans became the first public university in the city when it opened in the 1950s. The university joined the University of Louisiana System in 2011. Currently, the school enrolls nearly 8,000 students on campus and online.

UNO's online offerings include three bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees. Undergraduate learners can join online bachelor's programs in urban studies and planning, philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies. Graduate students can pursue online master's degrees in hospitality and tourism management, romance languages, engineering management, transportation, English, and creative writing.

UNO delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system. On-campus requirements vary by program. Online students gain access to several services and resources, including academic advising, career services, the UNO bookstore, counseling, and first-year advising.

Located in Thibodeaux, Nicholls State University opened in 1948 as a junior college branch of Louisiana State University. Less than a decade later, the state legislature granted Nicholls autonomy from LSU and allowed the school to offer bachelor's degrees. Today, Nicholls oversees undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences, education, business, and nursing.

Online offerings at Nicholls include two associate degrees, nine bachelor's degrees, one master's degree, and one postbaccalaureate certificate. Distance learners can pursue degrees in academic fields, including history, sociology, and political science, as well as professional fields, such as petroleum services, counseling, and nursing. Nicholls delivers all online coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements.

Nicholls charges students the same tuition rate, regardless of residency, earning its place among the most affordable online colleges in Louisiana. Online students also gain access to several student services, including tutoring, counseling, video tutorials, and technical support.

Based in Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University opened as a junior college in 1925 before becoming a bachelor's degree-granting school and joining the University of Louisiana System. Currently, Southeastern enrolls over 14,000 students on campus and online.

Southeastern's online programs include two bachelor's degrees (criminal justice and RN-to-BSN), a master of science in nursing, a doctor of nursing practice, and post-master's certificates in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric nurse practitioner. Students in these programs never need to visit campus. However, students willing to complete some required coursework on campus can choose from additional bachelor's programs in general studies and family and consumer science, as well as a master of arts in teaching in special education.

Southeastern delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system. The university supports distance learners through services such as a writing center, math lab, and center for student excellence.

Enrolling nearly 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the largest school in the University of Louisiana System. UL Lafayette originally opened as an industrial school at the turn of the 20th century. Though the school now offers diverse programs across the disciplines, UL Lafayette maintains a focus on professional education.

UL Lafayette earns its place among the most affordable online colleges in Louisiana thanks to its relatively inexpensive online programs. UL Lafayette's distance programming primarily focus on nursing, business, education, general studies, and writing. Online offerings include five bachelor's degrees, six master's programs, two doctor of nursing practice programs, and four graduate certificate programs. The university also offers individual online courses in many fields.

Aiming to provide flexibility to working professionals, UL Lafayette delivers all online coursework asynchronously through the Moodle learning management system. Most programs, aside from nursing, do not require students to visit campus.

Louisiana State University at Eunice currently enrolls approximately 3,000 students, and many of these learners transfer to public four-year universities throughout the state. LSUE also offers several distance learning options.

The university offers online associate degrees and certificate programs in six fields: criminal justice, fire and emergency services, general studies, humanities, social sciences, and medical coding and billing. The humanities and social sciences programs award degrees that transfer seamlessly into any of the Bayou State's four-year universities. LSUE delivers all online coursework asynchronously through its proprietary MyLSUE learning management system. Online programs at LSUE do not include on-campus requirements.

LSUE provides affordable per-credit tuition rates to in-state and out-of-state distance learners, earning the university a spot among the most affordable online colleges in Louisiana. LSUE accepts all applicants who hold a high school diploma or GED certificate.

One of the youngest schools among online community colleges in Louisiana, Baton Rouge Community College opened in 1995. Housed in the eponymous city of Baton Rouge, the college has hosted several famous politicians over the years, including former president Bill Clinton. Currently, BRCC enrolls nearly 8,000 students on campus and online.

BRCC primarily specializes in career-focused degrees that transfer to four-year universities. The college's online offerings include 13 associate degrees and certificate programs that students can complete without visiting campus. However, students willing to complete some of their coursework on campus can choose from an additional 10 associate degree options.

BRCC currently offers online programs in fields such as teaching, engineering, fine arts, general studies, business, biology, and accounting technology. Faculty deliver all online coursework asynchronously through the Canvas learning management system. BRCC uses an open admissions policy and accepts students with a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, Southern University at Shreveport serves as the two-year junior college campus of the Southern University System. A historically black college and university, SUSLA also holds membership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. SUSLA hosts approximately 3,000 students on campus and online.

SUSLA's online programs include 13 associate degrees and one certificate program. SUSLA delivers all online coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements, accommodating students with work and family obligations. SUSLA uses the Moodle learning management system for online course delivery.

SUSLA's online degrees are offered in fields such as business management, biology, criminal justice administration, humanities, and physical science. SUSLA designed three of its associate programs -- criminal justice, humanities, and general business -- to transfer to four-year universities in Louisiana. The university's cheap tuition rates earn it a place among the most affordable online colleges in Louisiana.