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University of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA·Public·4,638 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%. a public school with 4,638 students.

74%
Accept
4,638
Students
$12,384
Net Price
38%
Grad Rate
$43,500
Earnings
10 yr
$18,750
Debt

About This School

University of New Orleans is a public institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana with approximately 4,638 undergraduate students enrolled. University of New Orleans has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 74%. The average net price after financial aid is $12,384 per year. The graduation rate is 38%, and the typical graduate earns $43,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. First opened in 1958 as Louisiana State University in New Orleans, it is the largest public university and one of two doctoral research universities in the Greater New Orleans region. UNO is a member of the University of Louisiana System and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university consists of eight schools and colleges offering 46 bachelor's, 40 master's and 17 doctoral degree programs. Among its academic offerings are the only mechanical and electrical engineering undergraduate programs in New Orleans, the only graduate hospitality and tourism program and PAB-accredited urban planning program in the state of Louisiana, and one of the few schools of naval architecture and marine engineering in the United States.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $11,147 average net price and just $11,000 median debt at graduation make this one of the most affordable paths to a degree you'll find, and the New Orleans location offers genuine cultural and professional advantages. However, the 43% graduation rate is a serious concern — it means fewer than half of students who start here finish, and that's worth asking hard questions about before enrolling. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious, self-motivated, and drawn to the city itself, but make sure you have a clear plan and support system to beat those odds.

Founded
1958
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,208

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing24%
Engineering15%
Biological Sciences11%
Psychology7%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Computer Science5%
Social Sciences5%
Education3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Ellen DeGeneresFrank OceanSal KhanJames H. ClarkBo McCalebbTaryn TerrellDawn RichardValerie MartinAnita RatnamErvin JohnsonPeter HalleyJoseph Boyden

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1052
Reading 75th %ile616
Math 75th %ile625

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$9,172
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,008
Avg Net Price
$12,384
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$11,532
$30–48k$10,506
$48–75k$13,222
$75–110k$16,942
$110k+$17,504

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants39%
Median debt at graduation$18,750

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$23,431

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
38%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
67%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$18,750
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$39,000
Female graduates$32,100

Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

University of New Orleans graduates earn most above the national rate in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($51,652 vs $47,382 nationally), and most below it in Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,153 vs $83,343).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Business Administration, Management and Operations85$56,058$68,257−$12,199
Biology, General74$52,671$57,214−$4,543
Psychology, General71$37,747$50,706−$12,959
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other69$49,023$55,693−$6,670
Computer Science65$99,548$107,009−$7,461
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft47$28,807$39,775−$10,968
Accounting and Related Services45$59,301$76,194−$16,893
Mechanical Engineering45$91,435$92,135−$700
Civil Engineering35$80,704$86,517−$5,813
Finance and Financial Management Services29$54,153$83,343−$29,190
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods29$51,652$47,382+$4,270
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering28$95,630$100,647−$5,017

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$18,750
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$35,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White39%
Black24%
Hispanic/Latino16%
Asian9%
Two or more races5%
International2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,638 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of New Orleans

2000 Lakeshore Drive

New Orleans, LA 70148

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

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See How Colleges Compare

University of New Orleans is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of New Orleans?

University of New Orleans has an acceptance rate of 74%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is University of New Orleans hard to get into?

Not especially. University of New Orleans has an acceptance rate of 74%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does University of New Orleans cost?

The average net price at University of New Orleans is about $12,384 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at University of New Orleans?

University of New Orleans has a graduation rate of 38%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Official School Resources
Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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