Tulane University of Louisiana: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

New Orleans, Louisiana · Private nonprofit · Highly selective · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Decision
  • Early Decision II
  • Early Action
32,942
Applicants
4,763
Admitted14%
1,858
Enrolled
39%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Highly selective14% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1460
Mid 50: 1430–1500
In-state tuition
$67,592
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$39,949
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #59 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #119 (tie), Business Programs #39 (tie), Economics #97 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Tulane University of Louisiana (see the source), read on 2026-09-24.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Tulane University of Louisiana is a private nonprofit university in New Orleans, Louisiana that admits about 14% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $39,949 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 87% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 9.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Tulane University of Louisiana is a private institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Tulane University of Louisiana admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 14%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1460 and an ACT composite around 32. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $39,949 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Tulane University of Louisiana?

77% of enrolled students at Tulane University of Louisiana had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
11.5%
3.75–3.99
34.1%
3.50–3.74
31.1%
3.25–3.49
15.7%
3.00–3.24
6.2%
2.50–2.99
1.2%
Below 2.50
0.3%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Tulane University of Louisiana.

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What does Tulane University of Louisiana weight in admissions?

Tulane University of Louisiana reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

5
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Volunteer work

Important

6
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Level of applicant's interest

Considered

5
  • Talent/ability
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Work experience

Not Considered

2
  • Interview
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Tulane University of Louisiana typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 700–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1430
50th percentile1460
75th percentile1500
% submitting SAT11%
ACT Composite
25th percentile32
50th percentile33
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT27%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • SAT/ACT not required but considered; Tulane encourages submitting above ~1300 SAT / 28 ACT, and for merit scholarships.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Tulane University of Louisiana's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class53%
Top 25% of class80%
Top 50% of class95%
% submitting class rank20%

How much does Tulane University of Louisiana actually cost?

Published tuition is $68,678 for in-state students and $68,678 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,868 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $39,949 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 10% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$67,592
Room and board$19,630
Average net price (after aid)$39,949
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need94%
Average need-based grant$64,125
Average merit award, no financial need518 first-year students received one$19,636
Graduates who borrowed26%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$38,066
Financial aid formsFAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Tulane University of Louisiana

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/15
Notification date4/1
Reply deadline5/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)58%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 10

Will my child graduate from Tulane University of Louisiana?

These predict outcomes at Tulane University of Louisiana better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
92.98%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
78.81%
finished on time
6-year graduation
86.9%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Tulane University of Louisiana

The most popular undergraduate programs at Tulane University of Louisiana, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. Across all programs, Tulane University of Louisiana confers roughly 1,473 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $64,103 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General251$64,103
Finance and Financial Management Services249$109,495
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other179$73,281
Communication and Media Studies176$55,703
Political Science and Government166$68,622
Business Administration, Management and Operations157$105,134
Neurobiology and Neurosciences149$69,033
Economics146$89,211
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Tulane University of Louisiana disclosed 76 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 9.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 25 violent offenses and 32 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
76
9.8 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
25
3.22 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
32
4.12 per 1,000
Burglary
8
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 7,767 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Tulane University of Louisiana?

About 57% of undergraduates at Tulane University of Louisiana live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 27% of men join a fraternity and 56% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
57%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
62%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
1%
of course sections
In fraternities
27%
of men
In sororities
56%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Tulane University of Louisiana.

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Next steps for Tulane University of Louisiana

Common questions parents ask about Tulane University of Louisiana

What GPA do I need for Tulane University of Louisiana?

77% of enrolled students at Tulane University of Louisiana had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Tulane University of Louisiana typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 700–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.

How much does Tulane University of Louisiana actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Tulane University of Louisiana after grants and scholarships is $39,949 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $68,678. Budget against the net figure.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana realistic for my child?

Tulane University of Louisiana admits 14% of applicants, so 700–770 SAT Math is target range and below 700 is a reach. Then check the $39,949 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Tulane University of Louisiana?

Tulane University of Louisiana accepts about 14% of applicants out of roughly 32,942 who apply each year. That makes it a highly selective school.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana test-optional?

Yes. Tulane University of Louisiana is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Tulane University of Louisiana?

About 87% of students at Tulane University of Louisiana graduate within six years, and 79% finish in four years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Tulane University of Louisiana?

Tulane University of Louisiana's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 58%, compared with its overall rate of 14%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Tulane University of Louisiana look for in applicants?

Tulane University of Louisiana rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana a public or private school, and where is it located?

Tulane University of Louisiana is a private nonprofit institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

What are the most popular majors at Tulane University of Louisiana?

The largest undergraduate majors at Tulane University of Louisiana by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. The school awards about 1,473 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Tulane University of Louisiana safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Tulane University of Louisiana reported 76 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 9.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Tulane University of Louisiana?

At Tulane University of Louisiana, 57% of undergraduates live on campus, 27% of men are in fraternities, 56% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Tulane University of Louisiana, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers