Admit rate has ranged 60%–95% 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.
Xavier University of Louisiana is a historically Black Catholic university in New Orleans that punches far above its weight in STEM and health sciences, producing more Black graduates who go on to earn MDs than any other U.S. college. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and an intimate campus culture steeped in both social justice and New Orleans' vibrant traditions, XULA blends academic rigor with deep community ties—though its 50% graduation rate reveals ongoing challenges.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,628
In-state tuition
$28,733
Out-of-state tuition
$28,733
Athletics
NAIA Division I (Red River Conference)
Notable Fact
#1 producer of Black MDs among U.S. colleges
Acceptance Rate
69%
6-Year Grad Rate
50%
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,184
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.0×
Median debt at graduation
$24,053
Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
73%
First-generation share
27%
Endowment / student
$69,580
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$28,236
Public Health$27,669
Chemistry$26,353
Psychology, General$24,863
Biology, General$24,164
Sociology$23,649
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.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.14
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
113
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
51°F
Annual rain
67.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
146
Scholarly works
2,868
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
5.3%
Bottom → top quintile
31%
From bottom quintile
17%
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Xavier University of Louisiana?
Xavier University of Louisiana's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (New Orleans, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Xavier University of Louisiana?
Admitted students at Xavier University of Louisiana typically score 950–1113 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Xavier University of Louisiana cost?
At Xavier University of Louisiana, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,127 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Xavier University of Louisiana?
Xavier University of Louisiana enrolls approximately 2,628 undergraduate students.
Where is Xavier University of Louisiana located?
Xavier University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA.
Admissions
Xavier's admissions process is somewhat competitive with a 69% acceptance rate, though last year's incoming class boasted a strong average 3.67 GPA and 22 ACT/1100 SAT scores. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 19-24 on the ACT or 930-1130 on the SAT (with math scores slightly higher at 450-552 SAT/502 average). Notably, XULA is test-optional and emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with applications due by July 1 for regular decision. The university actively recruits through its HBCU identity and Catholic mission, offering AP credit and prioritizing accessibility via direct admissions outreach (email: apply@xula.edu, phone: 504-520-7388).
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.
XULA's academic identity is defined by its unmatched pipeline to medical careers—it’s the #1 source of Black graduates who earn MDs—and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures close mentorship. Over 50 majors span strong programs in biology, pharmacy, psychology, and theology, with 57.6% of classes under 20 students. The curriculum merges liberal arts foundations with career-ready STEM training, particularly through its pre-med and health science tracks. Students praise the "natural synergy between exploration and career readiness" (especially in medicine), though some note concerns about campus safety in surrounding neighborhoods. The Catholic intellectual tradition infuses coursework with social justice themes, particularly in theology's focus on "transforming society."
Life at XULA revolves around its tight-knit HBCU community and New Orleans' cultural heartbeat. The university fosters connection through:
Residence hall culture: Dorms are "the heart of campus life," where students bond over shared experiences
NAIA Division I athletics (Red River Conference) and club sports
Campus traditions like the student-run Xavier Herald newspaper and events blending Creole culture with Catholic heritage
Arts and faith programming, from gospel choirs to service projects addressing local inequities
Students describe a "strong sense of community" (per YouTube campus tours) but must navigate the urban environment—safety resources are a noted priority. Instagram highlights reveal a vibrant scene of student leadership, jazz-infused events, and activism.
XULA's 50% six-year graduation rate lags national averages but outperforms typical outcomes for Black students (per its internal research). Key data:
39% Pell Grant recipient graduation rate (near parity with non-Pell peers)
48% overall graduation rate (US News)
Lower earnings post-graduation, attributed partly to regional wage disparities
Despite these challenges, the university leads in producing Black STEM professionals—its med school pipeline is legendary. Alumni networks in healthcare and education are robust, though the school openly addresses "economic stability gaps" through career support.
With 75% of students receiving aid, XULA's average net price is $17,874-$18,080 after grants. Key details:
FAFSA-only policy for federal/state aid
Average aid package covers significant costs
Net price calculator helps families estimate actual costs
The university frames affordability as part of its social mission, though the lower graduation rate means some students take on debt without degrees. Aid offices emphasize financial literacy programs to mitigate risks.
XULA is the only historically Black Catholic university in the U.S., a singularity that shapes its dual commitment to racial justice and faith-based service. Its STEM dominance (especially in medicine) defies HBCU stereotypes, while New Orleans' cultural ferment fuels campus life. The university owns its contradictions—high access but uneven outcomes, urban vibrancy with safety concerns, elite professional pipelines alongside modest grad rates. For students seeking a close-knit community with powerhouse pre-med training, XULA is unmatched; for those needing hand-holding through systemic barriers, it demands self-reliance.
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