
New Orleans, LApublicwww.suno.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 60%–94% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is a public HBCU with an open-door ethos, where 60-85% of applicants are admitted—many from under-resourced backgrounds. Its scrappy, community-focused vibe centers on practical degrees like criminal justice and business, though retention and graduation rates lag behind national averages. For students seeking an affordable, supportive environment in a culturally rich city, SUNO offers a path—but one that demands resilience.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
SUNO is one of the more accessible public HBCUs, with reported Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 60.2% (per College Board) to 85% (U.S. News). Test scores are modest—mid-50% ranges are SAT 820-1050 and ACT 14-18—and the university requires SAT/ACT submissions for applicants under 24. Notably, only about 36% of admitted students enroll, suggesting many use SUNO as a safety school. The application process is straightforward via the Common App, with no early decision option.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
SUNO focuses on career-ready programs, with criminal justice, psychology, and business administration as its most popular majors. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees (including a Museum Studies program highlighted for its cultural preservation focus). Academic support is a stated priority—the website touts 'personal attention'—but outcomes are challenging: only 13% graduate within six years (per Niche), and the retention rate is just 52%. Graduate programs span education, social work, and business, though details on faculty resources or research opportunities are scarce.
With 79% of students commuting, campus life leans toward the utilitarian. The University Center serves as a hub for activities, but only 21% live in university housing (per U.S. News). Social life likely revolves around New Orleans’ cultural scene rather than Greek life or D1 sports—SUNO competes in the NAIA. The administration emphasizes 'belonging' initiatives, but the low retention rate suggests many struggle to connect. For students who persist, the city itself—with its music, food, and internships—may be the real classroom.
SUNO’s six-year graduation rate hovers between 13-36% (sources disagree), far below the national average for four-year colleges (59%). The university has publicly targeted improving this—aiming for a 32% six-year rate by 2027—but currently, 40% of students transfer out. Of the 300 degrees awarded in 2024, 80% went to Black students, reflecting SUNO’s HBCU mission. Post-grad salary data is unavailable, but the low completion rates suggest many alumni face hurdles in the job market.
SUNO is relatively affordable, with an average net price of $14,825/year after aid. The average aid package is $8,386, likely combining federal grants (like Pell) with Louisiana’s TOPS program. The financial aid office emphasizes support for low-income students, including TEACH Grants for future educators. Still, the low graduation rates imply many struggle with hidden costs like transportation or housing in New Orleans.
SUNO’s value lies in its mission as an accessible HBCU—a launchpad for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and under-resourced students in a city brimming with opportunity. Its cultural programs (like Museum Studies) leverage New Orleans’ heritage, while its open admissions policy offers redemption for those with shaky academic records. But it’s not for the faint-hearted: Success here demands navigating systemic challenges, from low funding to sparse campus life. For the determined, though, SUNO provides a rare combination of affordability, identity affirmation, and urban hustle.