Acceptance Rate
42%
Avg. SAT
1202
75th percentile
“New Orleans HBCU fusing liberal arts depth with music, service, and resilient community spirit.”
New Orleans, LA
Location
Dillard University formed in 1930 through the merger of Straight College, founded in 1869, and New Orleans University, established in 1873, carrying forward a legacy of educating Black students in the Deep South. Students who thrive here often seek close-knit support, embrace cultural immersion, and pursue leadership roles amid a tight community of about 1,250 undergraduates. The campus sits on 55 acres in the Gentilly neighborhood, where you'll feel the pulse of New Orleans' jazz heritage and Creole traditions just blocks away. That urban energy brings excitement but also distractions from the city's lively streets. Small size means personalized advising yet fewer major options compared to larger schools.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Dillard emphasizes liberal arts with standout programs in nursing, business administration, and music, where small classes—often under 20 students—let professors know you by name and push hands-on projects. You'll dissect jazz theory in dedicated studios or simulate patient care in nursing labs, fostering practical skills over rote lectures. Research leans undergraduate-focused, with opps through honors projects or faculty collaborations in public health and urban studies. Competitive entry into nursing demands solid high school sciences, and the limited scale means some advanced electives rotate slowly.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,068 undergrad • 12 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
1%
Black / African American
89%
Hispanic / Latino
3%
Asian
<1%
Other / Multi-racial
7%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
Campus buzzes with Greek life from all nine Divine Nine organizations, step shows, and the famed Dillard University Concert Chorale performances that draw city crowds. A typical week mixes classes, service outings in New Orleans neighborhoods, and weekend tailgates before the Blue Devils football games against rival Xavier. Most students live on campus in traditional dorms, building bonds fast in this residential haven. Off-campus, you'll wander French Quarter streets for beignets or jazz clubs, though humid summers and hurricane season test resilience. Social scene centers traditions like the massive homecoming parade, balancing school spirit with city temptations.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NCAA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$17,264
$30K – $48K
$17,403
$48K – $75K
$21,566
$75K – $110K
$24,449
$110K+
$22,781
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
78%
4 Years Graduation Rate
45%
6 Years Graduation Rate
52%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$39,196
78% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Dillard University and return in the fall. 45% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 52% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
45%
4-6 years
7%
Non-grad
48%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$18,280
Acceptance
42%
Undergrads
1,068
4-Year Grad Rate
45%
Endowment
$92M
New Orleans, LA 70122