Dillard University
#4 Best HBCUs for Visual- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,196 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $22,094 D+
- 29% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 42% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.8 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best HBCUs for Visual.
Every $1 spent returns $13.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,131,719.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
-
Social mobility rate of 5.03% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $13.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Dillard University Matters
Dillard University is a private liberal arts college in New Orleans, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,063
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU · 71
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Dillard University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 42% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 968–1202. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,094 a year after grants and scholarships — 29% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,196 ten years after enrolling — 4% below the typical college, against $31,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 5.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 2% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.12 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Dillard University, located in the vibrant city of New Orleans, is a great fit for students passionate about visual and performing arts, business, health professions, criminal justice, or biology. With an enrollment of about 1,063 students and an acceptance rate of 42%, it draws those who thrive in a close-knit community where creativity and academic rigor intersect. The emphasis on these top programs means students get to immerse themselves in disciplines that can lead to fulfilling careers.
After graduation, the average earnings for Dillard alumni ten years out is around $39,196. This figure is significant as it reflects the potential for upward mobility in various fields, particularly in areas like business and health professions. While the graduation rate sits at 44%, it’s important to consider that many graduates can find success in the workforce, especially when they leverage their unique skills and experiences gained during their time at Dillard.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price for students after aid is approximately $22,094, with a median debt of $31,000. This financial landscape indicates that while students may graduate with some debt, many of them, especially those who utilize Pell Grants (about 70% of students), tend to manage it well. Dillard is ideal for students looking for a supportive environment that values diversity and creativity, where they can develop the skills needed to navigate both academic and career challenges.
Rankings
- #4 Best HBCUs for Visual
- #4 Best HBCUs for Graphic Design
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Louisiana
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #9 Best HBCUs for Healthcare Administration
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana
- #11 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
Can I Get In?
How selective Dillard University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dillard University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dillard University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1050
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 968–1202
- ACT Range
- 18–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 96%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,271
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.23
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 5,052
- Admitted
- 4,036
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dillard University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dillard University is $23,918, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,094. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,819 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $23,918
- Out-of-State
- $23,918
- Avg Net Price
- $22,094
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 70%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 79%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,819
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,094
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,224
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,019
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Dillard University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Dillard University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dillard University report median earnings of $39,196, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $28,507
- 8 Years
- $34,724
- 10 Years
- $39,196
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.79x
- Earning > $25K
- 47%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (105)
- 33%
- 100% (105)
- 33%
- 100% (105)
- 33%
- 100% (105)
- 33%
How Dillard Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Dillard University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Dillard University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,094/year ($88,376 total). Graduates earn $39,196 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,220,095 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,131,719 (13.8× your investment). The median debt is $31,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $88,376
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,220,095
- Net Return
- $1,131,719
- ROI Multiple
- 13.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,094
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Dillard University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dillard University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 5.03%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 24.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $42,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 5.03%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 24.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $57,878
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-17,455,292
Top Programs
The fields Dillard University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 20% $70,404 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $40,390 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 14%
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $27,056 early-career
- Criminal Justice 10%
- Psychology 8% $34,410 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Communications 5% $23,930 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Dillard University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dillard University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dillard University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dillard University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dillard University is $23,918, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,094. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,819 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
Is Dillard University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dillard University report median earnings of $39,196, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Dillard University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dillard University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 5.03%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 24.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $42,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Dillard University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Dillard University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.12, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Dillard University.
- Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL · Close peer47% grad $42,488 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville, OH · Close peer35% grad $39,813 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Huston-Tillotson UniversityAustin, TX · Close peer35% grad $42,937 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, NC · Close peer34% grad $42,680 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Point UniversityWest Point, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,740 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls, GA · Close peer45% grad $36,630 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Dillard University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Dillard University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.12, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note