Southern University at New Orleans
#7 Best Education Colleges in Louisiana- Graduation Rate
- 16% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,042 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $14,810 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 79% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
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 #7 in Best Education Colleges in Louisiana.
Every $1 spent returns $13.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $761,049.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 16% — 73% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.58% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern University at New Orleans Matters
Southern University at New Orleans is a public university in New Orleans, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,055
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Humanities
Why students choose Southern University at New Orleans
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
Competitive — admits about 79% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 820–1050. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,810 a year after grants and scholarships — 14% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,042 ten years after enrolling — 17% below the typical college, against $31,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 6% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern University at New Orleans is a great choice for students who are looking for a welcoming environment with a focus on practical education. With an acceptance rate of 79%, many prospective students will find their place here. The university has strong programs in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Humanities, and Education, allowing students to dive deep into fields that interest them and align with their career aspirations.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, the average earnings ten years out sit at $34,042. This figure gives a glimpse into the economic landscape graduates can expect, although the graduation rate of 16% does suggest that students need to stay committed to see these outcomes. The affordability of the education is notable, particularly for students receiving Pell Grants, as 42% of enrolled students qualify for this aid, helping to ease financial burdens.
Looking at the practicalities, the net price after aid is $14,810, which is manageable for many. However, the median debt stands at $31,000, so it's crucial for students to weigh their financial choices carefully. Those who thrive here often appreciate the supportive community and the chance to engage deeply in their studies, making the most of their educational experience while navigating the challenges of college life.
Rankings
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Louisiana
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #9 Best Data Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #13 Best Colleges for Cross-Class Networks
- #14 Best Psychology Colleges in Louisiana
- #16 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
- #17 Best Colleges in Louisiana
- #17 Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern University at New Orleans is — and how your numbers stack up.
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Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern University at New Orleans? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Southern University at New Orleans admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 944. The graduation rate is roughly 16%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Retention Rate
- 52%
- SAT Average
- 944
- SAT Range
- 820–1050
- ACT Range
- 15–20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,898
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.19
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
- Applicants
- 928
- Admitted
- 868
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 Southern University at New Orleans? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern University at New Orleans is $16,954, 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 $14,810. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,771 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,054
- Out-of-State
- $16,954
- Avg Net Price
- $14,810
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,771
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern University at New Orleans Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern University at New Orleans report median earnings of $34,042, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,148
- 8 Years
- $33,646
- 10 Years
- $34,042
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.91x
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (6)
- 4%
- 100% (6)
- 4%
- 100% (6)
- 4%
- 100% (6)
- 4%
How Southern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
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 Southern University at New Orleans Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern University at New Orleans delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,810/year ($59,240 total). Graduates earn $34,042 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $820,289 in total earnings — a net gain of $761,049 (13.8× your investment). The median debt is $31,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 16% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,240
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $820,289
- Net Return
- $761,049
- ROI Multiple
- 13.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,810
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 16%
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 Southern University at New Orleans Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern University at New Orleans 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 3.58%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 37.9% 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 9.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.58%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 37.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $32,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $3,137,803
- Federal Grants
- $7,298,328
- Investment Income
- $-18,929
Top Programs
The fields Southern University at New Orleans awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 18%
- Psychology 15%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Humanities 10%
- Education 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Health Professions 7%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern University at New Orleans'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern University at New Orleans? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Southern University at New Orleans admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 944. The graduation rate is roughly 16%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern University at New Orleans? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern University at New Orleans is $16,954, 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 $14,810. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,771 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
Is Southern University at New Orleans Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern University at New Orleans report median earnings of $34,042, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southern University at New Orleans Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern University at New Orleans 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 3.58%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 37.9% 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 9.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern University at New Orleans? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Southern University at New Orleans. Its economic connectedness score is 0.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern University at New Orleans.
- Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer28% grad $34,782 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Shaw UniversityRaleigh, NC · Close peer21% grad $34,409 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim LubavitzBrooklyn, NY · Close peer4% grad $35,023 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Livingstone CollegeSalisbury, NC · Close peer26% grad $32,600 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
- Talladega CollegeTalladega, AL · Close peer43% grad $32,229 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Florida Memorial UniversityMiami Gardens, FL · Close peer31% grad $36,624 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern University at New Orleans? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Southern University at New Orleans. Its economic connectedness score is 0.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note