Rising enrollment rates at online colleges in Louisiana are driving significant growth in distance education. Between 2012 and 2015, the number of online students rose from 11,281 to 18,972. In 2015, 69,687 out of 247,531 Louisiana students were enrolled in at least one online course. Of those online students, 93% attended public schools, 6% attended private, non-profit institutions, and 1% of online students were enrolled in for-profit institutions. As web-based education grows in popularity, so do the resources and programs available to distance learners. To satisfy the increased demand for online college courses, Louisiana schools continue to expand their program offerings, including many subjects at multiple degree levels.
In this guide, we take a look at what the best online colleges in Louisiana have to offer, from tuition costs and available majors to financial aid opportunities such as scholarships and grants. Read on to learn how distance education can open up new career opportunities, and what Louisiana graduates can expect when they enter the workforce.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Louisiana
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Louisiana
In 2016, online colleges in Louisiana experienced some of the nation's highest enrollment rates, with 239,287 students pursuing web-based degrees, certificates, or individual courses. Prospective distance learners seeking accredited online colleges in Louisiana also have plenty of options to choose from. Between 2015 and 2016, the state was home to 17 public four-year schools, 16 public two-year institutions, 12 non-profit four-year institutions, and 17 for-profit schools, many of which offer comprehensive online programs.[dataviz-stats public="33" non-profit="12" for-profit="17"]As a rule, colleges and universities nationwide charge out-of-state students significantly higher tuition rates than in-state residents. Unlike tuition for most traditional, on-campus programs, many schools charge online students one flat rate, regardless of residency status. On average, Louisiana residents attending in-state schools pay roughly $9,550 a year in tuition. The state's flagship university, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, costs residents $11,950 each year, charging out-of-state students $28,627 in annual tuition. While price differences discourage many prospective out-of-state candidates from attending online communities colleges in Louisiana, there are many financial aid opportunities available to distance learners studying in their home state and beyond. According to the NASSGAP annual survey, Louisiana awarded students $255,229,776 in non-need based aid and $26,466,455 of need-based funding during the 2015-2016 school year.
Higher Education in Louisiana
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Louisiana
Enrollment rates at online colleges in Louisiana are skyrocketing: 2015 saw 60,410 Louisiana undergraduate students and 9,277 graduate students enrolled in at least one online course. In the same year, 12,811 undergraduate and 6,231 graduate students across the state were enrolled exclusively in online courses, with web-based education proving particularly popular among master's degree candidates. Graduate students have often already started families and careers, remaining committed to full-time roles outside of education. Offering flexible schedules and convenient content delivery, online degrees make it easier to balance school, work, and personal obligations. Distance education is also affordable for in- and out-of-state students alike: In 2015, 15,353 — 81% — of online students were Louisiana residents, 3,518 resided out-of-state, and 101 were from outside the United States.[dataviz-nces online="4.1" undergrad="69.8" in-state="81"]Northwestern State University of Louisiana saw the highest online enrollment in 2015, with 6,731 online learners, while Delgado Community College experienced the highest enrollment growth between 2012 and 2015, growing by 4,496 students.Individuals interested in pursuing online coursework enjoy a variety of state resources. Louisiana Online serves as a gateway to public institutions in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the University of Louisiana System, Southern University System, and the Louisiana State University System that offer hybrid and online programs. The Louisiana Distance Learning Association is a non-profit advocacy and policymaking organization that strives to gain recognition for online education and serve as a primary information source for prospective distance learners.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Out-of-state students typically pay much higher tuition rates than in-state students, with many nonresidents paying triple that of Louisiana residents. Formed with the goal of improving public education at every level, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) helps policymakers make informed decisions by providing independent, accurate data and recommendations. The organization also strives to improve student learning outcomes with improved curricula, instructor professional development programs, and evidence-based practices. SREB member states include Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, and Kentucky.SREB's Academic Common Market and Electronic Campus (ACM/EC) allows students enrolled in online programs to pay in-state tuition rates at out-of-state institutions located in member states. Learners may choose from hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs offered through out-of-state schools. ACM/EC is not merit-based or competitive, although students are required to meet individual program and home state residency requirements. Some programs, however, such as law, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and optometry are not available in the ACM, and students cannot request them. In addition, students applying to some institutions may require to meet additional acceptance guidelines beyond those defined in SREB policies.
Best Online Colleges in Louisiana
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Louisiana. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list out their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Louisiana, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in Louisiana or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Louisiana
Below you'll find a second listing of the online schools in Louisiana, sorted by the schools with the lowest tuition rates.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in LA with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in Louisiana
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Louisiana
Online colleges in Louisiana prepare students for a variety of career opportunities. Louisiana's 5% unemployment rate offers qualified graduates plentiful opportunities to find jobs. The mean annual wage for all occupations combined in the state of Louisiana is $41,590. Key industries in Louisiana include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agribusiness, automotive, energy, entertainment, process industries, software development, and water management. The state features low taxes, highly productive and motivated workers, unrivaled logistics and infrastructure, and a pro-business climate with the best workforce recruitment and training programs available.With Louisiana's variety of industries, there are a variety of rapidly growing jobs with as high as a 158.8% growth rate each year. Software engineers are the fastest growing career in Louisiana with a 158.8% growth rate and an annual mean wage of $72,270. Software developers are the second fastest growing job with a 154.6% annual growth rate and an annual mean wage of $74,000.