University of New Orleans
#1 Best Business Colleges in Louisiana- Graduation Rate
- 40% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,872 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,384 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 74% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in Louisiana.
Every $1 spent returns $25.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,218,862.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 40% — 30% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.07% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 87%
- Patents
- 18
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why University of New Orleans Matters
University of New Orleans is a public research university in New Orleans, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 4,638
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose University of 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 74% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 935–1241. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,384 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,872 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $18,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 10% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.31 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 4,638 students, the University of New Orleans is an accessible choice for those looking to pursue fields like Business, Engineering, Biology, Psychology, or the Arts. The acceptance rate of 74% means that many students who apply will likely find a place here. This school stands out for its urban setting, allowing students to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of New Orleans while pursuing their education.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $47,872 per year within ten years of completing their degree. While the graduation rate sits at 40%, many graduates do find paths to success in their chosen fields. The affordability of the University of New Orleans is noteworthy, especially for those receiving Pell Grants, with 39% of students benefiting from this financial support. This environment encourages students to use their education as a stepping stone into the workforce.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid is around $12,384, which is quite reasonable compared to many other institutions. Students typically graduate with a median debt of $18,750, which is manageable for many. Those who thrive here are often those who appreciate a community-focused atmosphere and are eager to engage with the local culture while pursuing their academic and career goals.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in Louisiana
- #2 Best Colleges in Louisiana
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Louisiana
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in Louisiana
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Louisiana
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Louisiana
- #3 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
Can I Get In?
How selective University of New Orleans 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 University of New Orleans? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, University of New Orleans admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,052. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- SAT Average
- 1052
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 935–1241
- ACT Range
- 17–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 63%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,208
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.75
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 7,296
- Admitted
- 5,090
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 University of New Orleans? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of New Orleans is $14,008, 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 $12,384. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,532 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,172
- Out-of-State
- $14,008
- Avg Net Price
- $12,384
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,532
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,506
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,222
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,504
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of New Orleans Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of New Orleans earn a median of $47,872, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,410
- 8 Years
- $43,309
- 10 Years
- $47,872
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (217)
- 26%
- 100% (217)
- 26%
- 100% (217)
- 26%
- 100% (217)
- 26%
How University 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 University of New Orleans Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of New Orleans delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,384/year ($49,536 total). Graduates earn $47,872 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,268,398 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,218,862 (25.6× your investment). The median debt is $18,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 40% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,536
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,268,398
- Net Return
- $1,218,862
- ROI Multiple
- 25.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,384
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
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 University of New Orleans Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of 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 3.07%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.6% 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 18.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 16.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $66,400
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of New Orleans produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 18 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.14%
- Top 87% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 18
- Linked to graduates
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.13%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,324,621
- Investment Income
- $-3,028,791
Top Programs
The fields University of 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.
- Business & Marketing 25%
- Engineering 15%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- Psychology 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Computer Science & IT 6%
- Physical Sciences 4%
- Social Sciences 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of 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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of New Orleans? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, University of New Orleans admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,052. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of New Orleans? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of New Orleans is $14,008, 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 $12,384. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,532 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
Is University of New Orleans Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of New Orleans earn a median of $47,872, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of New Orleans Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of 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 3.07%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.6% 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 18.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of New Orleans? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of New Orleans. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of New Orleans.
- McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LA · Close peer49% grad $46,453 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer48% grad $45,344 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer34% grad $45,872 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA · Close peer52% grad $46,769 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of New Orleans? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of New Orleans. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note