Louisiana Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
To become a certified teacher in Louisiana, individuals must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. This guide provides helpful information for individuals considering teaching degrees in the state. Below you’ll find a comparison table of approved programs, along with curated lists of top-ranked and affordable options to support your search.
Table of Contents
- LA Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 11 Affordable LA Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Louisiana Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Louisiana Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 20 Louisiana teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Louisiana traditional certification guide and our Louisiana alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary College | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | $24,079 |
| Grambling State University | Yes | 38 | 15 | 100% | 16 | 5 | N.Av. | $16,384 |
| Louisiana Christian University | No | — | — | — | 124 | 32 | 100% | $14,625 |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | Yes | 51 | 11 | 100% | 48 | 17 | 100% | $7,302 |
| Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge | No | 193 | 121 | 91% | 22 | 17 | 100% | $20,352 |
| Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Yes | 69 | 19 | 100% | 9 | 3 | N.Av. | $8,676 |
| Louisiana Tech University | Yes | 146 | 49 | 100% | 24 | 15 | 100% | $11,630 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | No | 15 | 7 | N.Av. | 9 | 5 | N.Av. | $22,596 |
| McNeese State University | Yes | 161 | 39 | 100% | 11 | 5 | N.Av. | $9,721 |
| Nicholls State University | Yes | 452 | 68 | 96% | 23 | 8 | N.Av. | $12,621 |
| Northwestern State University | Yes | 146 | 34 | 100% | 114 | 52 | 100% | $12,938 |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Yes | 470 | 112 | 100% | 42 | 20 | 100% | $12,206 |
| Southern University and A&M College | Yes | 70 | 16 | 50% | 5 | 3 | N.Av. | $16,518 |
| Southern University New Orleans | Yes | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | N.Av. | $11,500 |
| Tulane University | Yes | — | — | — | 27 | 10 | 100% | $47,413 |
| University of Holy Cross | Yes | 7 | 4 | N.Av. | 23 | 10 | N.Av. | $13,236 |
| University of Louisiana Lafayette | Yes | 382 | 91 | 100% | 26 | 9 | N.Av. | $12,706 |
| University of Louisiana Monroe | Yes | 142 | 44 | 100% | 46 | 12 | 100% | $10,134 |
| University of New Orleans | Yes | 118 | 29 | 100% | 52 | 12 | 100% | $11,256 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | Yes | 42 | 7 | N.Av. | 26 | 16 | 100% | $19,066 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Louisiana
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 11 most affordable schools have a net price under $13,000.
- Louisiana State University-Alexandria ($7,302)
- Louisiana State University-Shreveport ($8,676)
- McNeese State University ($9,721)
- University of Louisiana Monroe ($10,134)
- University of New Orleans ($11,256)
- Southern University New Orleans ($11,500)
- Louisiana Tech University ($11,630)
- Southeastern Louisiana University ($12,206)
- Nicholls State University ($12,621)
- University of Louisiana Lafayette ($12,706)
- Northwestern State University ($12,938)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Louisiana
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Louisiana
Our list of the top eight bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Grambling State University (100%)
- Louisiana State University-Alexandria (100%)
- Louisiana State University-Shreveport (100%)
- Louisiana Tech University (100%)
- McNeese State University (100%)
- Northwestern State University (100%)
- Southeastern Louisiana University (100%)
- University of Louisiana Lafayette (100%)
- University of Louisiana Monroe (100%)
- University of New Orleans (100%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The seven Louisiana schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Baton Rouge Community College
- Bossier Parish Community College
- Delgado Community College
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
- Nunez Community College
- River Parishes Community College
- Southern University at Shreveport
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/