Historically Black Colleges and Universities in New Orleans, LA

Does studying at a college or university that historically served African Americans, especially before and during Louisiana's civil rights movement, appeal to you?

If so, you might want to explore studying at one of the distinctive historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in New Orleans.

Historically black colleges and universities were established throughout America, and especially in Southern states, between the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Their mission would be to educate formerly enslaved people and their descendants, who were not legally permitted to study in most white colleges or universities until after 1964.

Today, these schools today welcome students of any racial or ethnic origin, so you would be welcome to apply regardless of your personal family heritage or racial identity.

On average, African Americans constitute three out of four students at HBCUs.

Below, we tell you about the three significant historically black colleges and universities in New Orleans, LA: one of America's most culturally distinctive and vibrant cities that encompasses a rich m?ange of French, African, and Anglo-American heritage

List of HBCUs in New Orleans, Louisiana

Located on the Delta, where the Mississippi River pours into the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is famous as the birthplace of jazz music and the home of Cajun folk music.

What's more, the city is renowned for its Cajun and French Creole cuisine, its memorable French Quarter architecture, and most importantly, for its annual Mardi Gras revelry.

However, New Orleans is also home to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country.

Let's talk about its three HBCUs since they stand out in this city with a population that is nearly 60% Black and 30% white.

Dillard University

Known as the city's oldest HBCU, the private Dillard University was established in 1930 through the merger of two post-Emancipation Black institutions: Straight College and New Orleans University, dating back to 1868.

Located on a 70-acre residential campus in the Gentilly district north of downtown New Orleans, Dillard is an urban school serving just over 1200 students. The school boasts a 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio.

Retaining both its founding church connections, Dillard today is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.

Almost all students at Dillard University are of traditional college age (18 to 24) and enrolled as full-time students. 76% of the students are women, and 87% are African American. While 57% of students are from Louisiana, a full 42% come from out of state.

More than two-thirds of incoming freshmen students return for their second year (retention rate). However, the six-year graduation rate is 48%.

Of its 22 programs of study in the liberal arts, some popular majors include biology, criminal justice, music, and the performing arts.

Dillard offers degrees in areas ranging from film studies to food studies, from public health to financial economics.

Began offering online degree programs in the fall of 2021 with the launch of the fully online criminal justice degree.

Dillard's annual tuition is $20,224.

However, 100% of students receive financial aid through grants and fellowships that average $14,651 per student. What's more, 76% get federally insured student loans that average $6,332 per year.

In terms of collegiate athletics, Dillard University supports men's and women's varsity track and basketball teams and women's volleyball.

Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is a public HBCU that offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

It has a student population of close to 2000 students, of whom 1700 are undergrads.

SUNO was founded in 1956 as a branch of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in Baton Rouge (SUBR).

Its 17-acre residential campus was established in historic Pontchartrain Park, a historically African American neighborhood in eastern New Orleans.

Annual tuition is $7,471 for Louisiana residents and $16,371 for nonresident students.

88% of students receive financial aid averaging $9,560 in grants or scholarships, while almost two-thirds receive federal student loans in awards that average $5,282 per student per year.

Almost half of its students study at Southern University part-time, while 40% are of nontraditional age (i.e., 25 and above). 87% come from Louisiana. 71% are women, and 89% are African American.

SUNO has a 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio.

Fields awarding the highest number of bachelor's degrees in 2022 included criminal justice, business administration, social work, psychology, general studies, and education. Nearly 20% of students are exclusively enrolled online.

Based on retention and graduation rates, students at Southern have some concerns that are preventing many of them from completing their studies.

First-year retention rates are only 46% for full-time students and 29% for part-time students, which means that the majority of students do not come back for a second year.

Only 17% of entering students will graduate within six years.

Xavier University

Xavier University distinguishes itself as the only HBCU in America that is a Catholic university. The campus is located near Mid-City in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans.

This private school, serving 3,300 students, offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. It does not offer undergraduate online degree programs.

Xavier is nationally recognized for its STEM and health sciences programs and for educating the largest number of African American doctors and pharmacists in the U.S.

Xavier's undergraduate academic programs are rooted in the liberal arts, with majors in traditional fields such as the arts, sciences, and social sciences and newer programs like bioinformatics, data science, neuroscience, and jazz studies.

An academic plus is that Xavier has a very high percentage of full-time faculty versus contingent or adjunct faculty.

The most popular academic program is biology, which was the degree of one-quarter of the bachelor's-level graduates in 2022.

86% of Xavier's students are Black, three out of four are female, and almost all are of traditional college age and enrolled full-time.

A full 71% come to Xavier from out of state.

A year's tuition is $26,863, although this amount is offset by the average scholarship or grant award of $20,511 that 99% of students receive. In addition, 65% of students receive a student loan averaging $6,372.

The first-year retention rate is 68%, meaning that two-thirds of students return for their second year. Just over half of those who enter end up graduating within six years, while a third transfer elsewhere.

Xavier has men's teams in track, baseball, basketball, and tennis in collegiate athletics. Women's varsity teams are in track, basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

What's the Average Cost of an HBCU Degree Program?

In each of the above profiles, we provided tuition costs as well as information about average financial aid awards. As a public university, SUNO is the most affordable at just $7,400 in tuition per year.

How to Choose the Right HBCU

Each HBCU has its unique campus culture, history, and traditions. If possible; visit the campus and have many talks with students, faculty, and staff. Soon, you should get a feel for what makes each one special.

Are There Online HBCUs in New Orleans?

The HBCUs in New Orleans do not provide many options for earning online degrees. Their emphases are on maintaining their distinctive on-campus cultures including interpersonal, face-to-face classes.

Beyond New Orleans, an increasing number of HBCUs are offering online degree programs.

This means that you may be able to find the online program you desire at an HBCU in another locale, such as Alabama A&M or Alabama State University, Albany State University, Bluefield State College, Delaware State, Fisk University, Howard University, and others.

Find a Historically Black College or University Near You

If you want to attend an HBCU in New Orleans, reach out to the admissions offices of one or more of the above colleges today to get all the information you need to begin your application.