Best Accredited Online Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana has implemented several programs to improve support and access to higher education in the state, along with financial aid initiatives like the M.J. Foster Promise Program. This initiative funds adult students pursuing associate degrees in healthcare and information technology.

Many of the state’s schools have also designed programs that align with local and state needs to improve student outcomes and employment opportunities. To make studies more flexible and accessible, schools have also introduced online programs in many of the most in-demand disciplines.

This page explores some considerations when choosing an online college in Louisiana, including the importance of accreditation. Discover some of the best online colleges in the state in this helpful guide.

Accreditation should play an important role in every school search because it can affect your access to financial aid, transfer credits, and employment. Accreditation exists at both the programmatic and institutional levels, with each offering quality assurance to students, schools, and other organizations.

Louisiana schools can pursue institutional accreditation from any organization approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (ED), but the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits many of the state’s schools.

The institutional accreditation process involves a thorough review of a school’s operations, programs, faculty, and student outcomes. For many years, institutional accreditation for nonprofit schools operated with regional boundaries.

In 2020, ED removed the borders and allowed schools to pursue accreditation from any approved institutional accrediting organization, regardless of location. This shift allowed Louisiana’s nonprofit schools to work with accreditors other than SACSCOC.

Programmatic accreditation works similarly to institutional accreditation but on a subject-specific basis. This type of accreditation also comes from CHEA- or ED-approved organizations and can affect employment outcomes. In nationally or state-licensed professions, for example, programmatic accreditation may be required for programs to qualify for licensure.

Common programmatic accreditors include ABET, Inc., the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the Council on Social Work Education.

Most accredited schools and programs feature their accreditation status on their website. Ensure that the school or program holds accreditation from an agency recognized by ED or CHEA. Use ED’s and CHEA’s searchable databases to check any prospective school’s accreditation status.

The accreditation process provides quality assurance to you, your future employers, and other schools. As a result, accredited schools usually only offer you transfer credits if you transfer from another accredited school. Programmatic accreditation may also be required when transferring between programs in disciplines like nursing and education.

In certain fields, you need to graduate from an accredited program to qualify for the next stage in the licensure process. For example, in engineering, your program must be accredited for you to sit for the licensing exam. The programmatic accreditation process ensures that each program meets the profession’s strict course and practical prerequisites.

When choosing an online college in Louisiana, try to find an option that accommodates your needs and supports your interests and goals. When sorting through your choices, consider the following steps.

In most cases, you can find institutional and programmatic accreditation information on the school and program websites. You can also browse CHEA’s databases and directories for a list of accredited schools and programs nationwide.

Every college has its own way of delivering online programs. Some run programs entirely asynchronously online with no campus requirements, while others offer synchronous delivery on nights and weekends. Hybrid delivery blends online and in-person learning. Consider the schedule you need, how you learn best, and the type of experience you want when choosing.

Your school’s faculty can significantly affect the quality of education and mentorship you receive, so they should play a role in your decision. For best results, consider looking for a faculty that specializes in a niche that interests you.

You may rely on your school’s academic support, career, and mental health services at various times during your education. Before making a decision, compare what each school offers its enrollees and how that translates into student outcomes.

Comparing school tuition rates is a good place to start, but you should also consider available financial aid opportunities at each college. Many schools offer guaranteed scholarships and tuition discounts for qualifying students.

Louisiana has 39 four-year universities, including nonprofit and for-profit institutions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This consists of 21 public four-year universities and 18 private four-year universities. Many of these schools offer online degree programs.

Online degrees take a similar amount of time and require a similar number of credits as traditional degrees. To earn a bachelor’s degree online at the University of Louisiana, for example, you’ll need 120 credits. For a master’s degree, you need 30-39 credits to graduate, depending on your major.

In most cases, you need to live in Louisiana for at least one full year to qualify for in-state tuition. At LSU, for example, you must live in the state for 12 consecutive months, or 365 days, before the first day of the semester to be considered an in-state student.

Yes — LSU offers more than 100 online degrees and certificates. You can choose from online bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and professional certificates in fields like technology, healthcare, education, human services, and liberal arts.

According to NCES tuition data, some of the cheapest colleges in Louisiana are Infinity College, Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, Fletcher Technical Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, River Parishes Community College, and Central Louisiana Technical Community College.