Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #1122 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,416 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern University At New Orleans in the 47.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #1139 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #1122 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in New Orleans, LA, Southern University At New Orleans enrolls roughly 1,055 undergraduates. The institution serves a student population with substantial financial need: 41.7% receive Pell Grants and 49.6% are first-generation college students. Six-year graduation rate is 13.1%, reflecting the institution's work with students who often face significant barriers to degree completion. Where Southern University At New Orleans performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #1209 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,416 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern University At New Orleans in the 47.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance is anchored in the institution's dominant program family, Security & Protective Services, which leads to stable, in-demand career pathways with strong early-career earnings trajectories. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Southern University At New Orleans sits in the 45.2 percentile for access and the 55.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For a student population where nearly half qualify for Pell Grants, the institution's ability to deliver earnings outcomes that exceed comparable institutions' results represents meaningful economic mobility — graduates move into careers that support long-term financial stability despite the modest earnings base typical of regional public master's universities.
Southern University at New Orleans' published cost of attendance is $23,905. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels, with low-income families paying approximately $14,771 and higher-income families paying around $19,360. Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #633 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry; net prices by income band are medians within those bands, so individual aid packages vary. Southern University at New Orleans serves a predominantly low-income student population, with need-based aid playing a central role in making attendance feasible. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. For families weighing affordability, understanding both the net price and the debt trajectory matters equally — the sticker price is one figure, but what families actually pay and what graduates owe are separate questions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,240, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southern University At New Orleans is a good fit for students seeking a public university experience in LA with a focus on Security & Protective Services and related fields. Its program mix leans heavily toward Security & Protective Services, which represents 13% of graduates, making it a strong choice for students interested in these areas. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,240, placing Southern University At New Orleans in the 8.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,416 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 47.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 41.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 49.6% are first-generation. This commitment to access is reflected in the 35.9% Pell completion rate, which supports students through graduation. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 78.9% admit rate makes the application process broadly accessible, and the program mix favors Security & Protective Services and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas and who prioritize affordability will find Southern University At New Orleans a strong option.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Southern University At New Orleans hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Data not available for this income tier.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southern University at New Orleans' published cost of attendance is $23,905. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels, with low-income families paying approximately $14,771 and higher-income families paying around $19,360.
Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #633 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry; net prices by income band are medians within those bands, so individual aid packages vary.
Southern University at New Orleans serves a predominantly low-income student population, with need-based aid playing a central role in making attendance feasible. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs.
For families weighing affordability, understanding both the net price and the debt trajectory matters equally — the sticker price is one figure, but what families actually pay and what graduates owe are separate questions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,240, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Southern University At New Orleans earn median 4-year earnings of $47,240, placing Southern University At New Orleans in the 8.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Southern University At New Orleans sits in the 47.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southern University At New Orleans #1209 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 18.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to LA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928 (the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on security and protective services fields, which form the institutional signature. Criminal Justice is the largest program with 38 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,723.
The Business Administration program graduates 34 students earning median 4-year earnings of $42,068, while General Studies delivers median 4-year earnings of $44,226 for 28 graduates. Education, General and Social Work round out the top programs with 27 and 27 graduates respectively.
This concentration in Security & Protective Services reflects the institution's focused program portfolio and alignment with regional workforce demand in New Orleans.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southwest Minnesota State University Similar quality tier (#30538 ranked) | MN | 62% | $51,342 | #30538 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Lancaster Similar quality tier (#30522 ranked) | SC | 83% | $39,426 | #30522 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Superior Similar quality tier (#29997 ranked) | WI | 93% | $49,606 | #29997 | Compare |
Delta State University Similar quality tier (#30573 ranked) | MS | 100% | $41,991 | #30573 | Compare |
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts Similar quality tier (#30576 ranked) | MA | 90% | $48,102 | #30576 | Compare |
Social Work
27 graduates
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
18 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
8 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
38 graduates
Biology, General
18 graduates
Southern University At New Orleans anchors its program portfolio in Security & Protective Services, a signature that reflects the institution's mission-driven focus on public service and workforce readiness in the New Orleans region. The largest programs by enrollment are Criminal Justice with 38 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,723, followed by Business Administration with 34 graduates, General Studies with 28 graduates, Education, General, and Social Work with 27 graduates.
Across 13 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The highest-earning programs at Southern University At New Orleans reflect the institution's strength in applied professional fields.
Social Work leads with median 4-year earnings of $49,709 from 27 graduates, followed by Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at $47,390, Health Administration at $44,788, Criminal Justice at $44,723, and Biology, General at $44,350. These earnings patterns underscore how Southern University At New Orleans positions graduates for stable, career-focused pathways in fields where regional and national demand remains strong.
The concentration in Business at 13% and Education at 11% reflects Southern University At New Orleans's identity as a public university serving New Orleans and Louisiana with direct workforce alignment. Many of these programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the labor market directly and earnings reflect immediate professional outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Southern University At New Orleans's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in public service, protective services, and applied professional sectors.
