University of New Orleans: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Ruston, Louisiana · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
University of New Orleans is a public university in Ruston, Louisiana that admits about 73% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $12,209 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of New Orleans is a public institution located in Ruston, Louisiana with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of New Orleans admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 73%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1190 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,209 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of New Orleans is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.
What GPA does my child need for University of New Orleans?
University of New Orleans admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.
SAT and ACT scores University of New Orleans typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 545–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1190 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | 55% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 25 |
| 75th percentile | 27 |
| % submitting ACT | 97% |
- • Test-blind: University of New Orleans does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not Considered
How much does University of New Orleans actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,125 for in-state students and $16,866 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $9,447 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,209 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,209 |
| Application fee | $20 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of New Orleans
| Regular deadline | March 1 |
| Notification date | - |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of New Orleans?
Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.
Most popular majors at University of New Orleans
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of New Orleans, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, University of New Orleans confers roughly 594 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $47,164 five years after entering college. Major popularity is a practical signal of where a school concentrates its teaching strength and where your child will find the deepest course offerings and peer community.
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 132 | $47,164 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 83 | $86,794 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 77 | $52,803 |
| Psychology, General | 64 | $47,632 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 63 | $77,825 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 62 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 58 | $63,449 |
| Marketing | 55 | — |
Is University of New Orleans safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of New Orleans disclosed 5 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Per-1,000-student rates matter more than raw counts when comparing schools, because larger universities mechanically report more incidents. Under the federal Clery Act, every college that receives federal aid must publish these numbers annually.
Other colleges in Louisiana parents ask about
How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of New Orleans
Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of New Orleans recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.
Common questions parents ask about University of New Orleans
What GPA do I need for University of New Orleans?
University of New Orleans admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does University of New Orleans typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 545–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–27.
How much does University of New Orleans actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of New Orleans after grants and scholarships is $12,209 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.
Is University of New Orleans realistic for my child?
Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of New Orleans is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.
What is the acceptance rate at University of New Orleans?
University of New Orleans accepts about 73% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of New Orleans test-optional?
University of New Orleans is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is University of New Orleans a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of New Orleans is a public institution located in Ruston, Louisiana.
What are the most popular majors at University of New Orleans?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of New Orleans by annual graduates are Biology, General, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 594 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of New Orleans safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of New Orleans reported 5 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of New Orleans, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act campus safety disclosures. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.