New Orleans is the biggest city in Louisiana, with a population of around 400,000. It is internationally known for its abundant culture, cuisines, parties, and Mardi Gras. The city is the economic and commercial hub for the United States Gulf Coast as it houses a significant port.
Furthermore, this place offers many flavors and stories that will never stop evolving. The heart of the city, the French Quarter, is world-famous for its architecture and exciting nightlife, particularly along the famed Bourbon Street. It also has the highest number of higher education institutions in Louisiana.
That’s why we will review the top five universities with the most affordable tuition rates for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
Affordable Schools in New Orleans for International Students
1. Southern University at New Orleans
Our list starts with the Southern University at New Orleans, a public university that is historically black. Since its founding in 1956, the university has been primarily focused on providing the African-American community in New Orleans with a certificate of higher education. It’s also a member of the Southern University System, a system of historically black universities in Louisiana.
In the last 60 years, SUNO has grown to house around 2,700 students, most of whom are undergraduate students. On-campus living facilities include fully furnished apartments with one, two, or four bedrooms, with many different amenities such as a gym, telephones, a separate laundry room for each apartment, and shuttle services.
Tuition fees for Louisiana students are relatively low at this school and higher for out-of-state students. This cheap university in New Orleans provides many bachelor’s programs, after which students can pursue a master’s degree in the School of Graduate Studies. The School of Social Work, the College of Business and Public Administration, and the College of Education and Human Development provide SUNO’s undergraduate programs.
SUNO’s notable alumni include several civil rights activists, such as Avery C. Alexander and Oretha Castle Haley.
2. University of New Orleans
Next on our list of cheapest universities in New Orleans is the University of New Orleans. The university is quite a young institution, having been founded in 1956. The first classes took place two years later, in the summer of 1958. The public university has approximately 8,000 students, most of whom are undergraduates studying for a bachelor’s degree.
The university’s programs are housed by four different colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering, the College of Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Human Development. The Study Abroad program that the university organizes also allows students to embark on academic adventures in all parts of the world, as far away as Africa and Australia. It is possible to do a semester abroad in the programs or just during the summer.
Furthermore, students are offered a variety of options when it comes to on-campus housing and recreational facilities. There are three different housing facilities to choose from, and their facilities vary. The apartments in Lafitte Village are even suitable for students who are married or have families, as they feature one or two bedrooms.
Check Also: Cheap Colleges in Louisiana
3. University of Holy Cross
Founded in 1916, the University of Holy Cross, also known as UOHC, is a private liberal arts college established by the Marianites of Holy Cross or MSC. The MSC is a Roman Catholic Congregation of nuns dating back to 1841. The institution is still affiliated with this congregation to this day.
Until January 2016, UOHC was known as Our Lady of Holy Cross College. It houses over a thousand students, making this affordable university one of the smaller universities on our shortlist. It’s also located very close to downtown and lies on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
Even though the university houses fewer students, the school still offers various programs. These include over 20 bachelor’s degrees, six master’s, two doctoral, and five associate degrees. Both international students from outside the United States can study at UOHC, and American students can study abroad.
4. Dillard University
We have come to Dillard University, a historically black university in Louisiana, similar to the Southern University in New Orleans. However, this cheap university in New Orleans is a private institution founded in 1869, making it one of the oldest universities on our shortlist.
The university is affiliated with two religious denominations: the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. It operates under the Latin motto “Ex Fide, Fortis,” which translates to “Strong through Faith.” This educational institution houses different colleges, such as the College of Business, the College of Nursing, and the College of Arts and Sciences.
These colleges all include other schools and departments, providing students with an abundance of majors and programs to choose from. For instance, the College of Nursing at Dillard University was the first in Louisiana to offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
The department features various high-tech facilities, such as six different laboratories, designed to best suit the needs of each specialty area. The high-tech simulation laboratory allows students to practice with various scenarios to be as prepared as possible for the complex world of nursing.
See Also: Medical Schools in New Orleans
5. Xavier University of Louisiana
Closing off our shortlist is Xavier University of Louisiana. This private liberal arts university is remarkable in the United States because it is the only historically black Roman Catholic institution of higher education. It was founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Roman Catholic order of nuns, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
XULA’s campus is located in the Gert Town section of the city. This neighborhood has played a big part in the industrial development of New Orleans. The institution’s curriculum has both humanitarian, medical, and scientific programs. It also houses two different colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy.
These two colleges offer students many other academic options, such as mathematical and physical sciences, business, social behavior sciences, and pharmacy. The College of Pharmacy has two distinct divisions: the basic pharmaceutical sciences and clinical and administrative sciences. It is also possible to pursue a master’s or doctorate at XULA through its graduate school.
Its university life offers an abundance of honor societies, Greek organizations, academic clubs, athletic clubs, and performing groups. Moreover, students who compete in one of its nine varsity teams are known as the Xavier Gold Rush or Gold Nuggets. No matter your interests or hobbies, you will be sure to make connections that will last a lifetime at this institution in New Orleans.
FAQs: Studying at a University in New Orleans
What is the Largest University in New Orleans?
Louisiana State University is the largest university in New Orleans, with a total enrollment of 35,912 students for the 2021-2022 academic year. This number comprises more than 20,000 female students and 15,903 male students. Other universities with notable high enrollment include Tulane University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
New Orleans has some of the best universities in the United States, offering top programs for domestic and international students. The above cheap universities are your best bet if you want to study in New Orleans because of their affordability, vibrant culture, and world-class architecture. Before packing your bags to leave for New Orleans, you can explore other ways to study cheaply in the USA, like the tuition-free universities listed on our website.
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in New Orleans was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States, check out the Study in the USA page and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA.
