Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of New Orleans #369 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of New Orleans sits in the 52.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting graduates who earn about $1,372 less than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #383 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- University of New Orleans's composite ranking reflects a combination of earnings beyond expectations and mobility outcomes that together define the university's core student value proposition. Graduates earn median $56,037 four years after enrollment, placing University of New Orleans in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — a result grounded in the university's business-focused program mix and its position as a broad-access public institution in New Orleans.
Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #369 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university located in New Orleans, LA, University of New Orleans enrolls roughly 4,638 undergraduates. Freshman retention stands at 66.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 38.0%, figures that reflect the institution's ongoing work to support students through degree completion in a city with significant economic need. The composite is anchored by what University of New Orleans delivers for the students it serves. 39.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.6% are first-generation college students — a profile that places the university among the more access-oriented institutions in the Azimuth coverage set. Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #945 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $56,037, and earn about $1,372 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of New Orleans in the 52.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program concentration in Business shapes much of this earnings profile, connecting graduates to regional and national employer networks in business-adjacent fields. Access and mobility sit at the center of the composite story. University of New Orleans sits in the 76.6 percentile for access and the 74.2 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting both the breadth of students the university enrolls and the degree to which those students convert enrollment into durable economic outcomes. Affordability sits in the 88.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, shaped by the institution's public-tuition structure and the financial-aid reach that comes with serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body. Together, these pillars describe a university whose value proposition is grounded in access and economic mobility for students who might otherwise face significant barriers to a four-year degree.
University of New Orleans's published cost of attendance is $23,431. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,532, middle-income families pay around $13,222, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,504. Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #161 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of New Orleans meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid packages that combine grants, loans, and work-study. The aid structure prioritizes need-based support, with merit scholarships available separately. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the university's financial aid office works with families to understand the gap between sticker price and what they will actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,048; 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 University of New Orleans's median four-year earnings of $56,037, median federal debt of $18,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $212 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Richmond is a strong fit for students drawn to business, finance, and related professional fields who want a private liberal arts and sciences university in LA with a track record of delivering earnings that outpace what similar students achieve elsewhere. Graduates earn median $56,037 four years after enrollment, placing University of New Orleans in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — and earn about $1,372 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 52.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure and access profile are worth understanding clearly. 39.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.6% are first-generation students — a narrower access footprint than large public universities — and University of New Orleans sits in the 43.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Higher-income families should expect a net price in the range of $17,504, and typical borrowers leave with median debt of $18,750. Fit depends on two realistic filters: University of New Orleans admits about 74.3% of applicants, making it selective, and its program mix is concentrated in Business and related fields. Students whose academic interests align with those areas and who can navigate the selective application process will find the earnings trajectory and return on investment among the strongest in the nonprofit four-year institutions.
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 University Of New Orleans hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of New Orleans's published cost of attendance is $23,431. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,532, middle-income families pay around $13,222, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,504.
Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #161 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of New Orleans meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid packages that combine grants, loans, and work-study. The aid structure prioritizes need-based support, with merit scholarships available separately.
Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the university's financial aid office works with families to understand the gap between sticker price and what they will actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,048; 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 University of New Orleans's median four-year earnings of $56,037, median federal debt of $18,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $212 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 University of New Orleans earn median earnings of $56,037 four years after enrollment, placing University of New Orleans in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,372 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of New Orleans in the 52.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of New Orleans #945 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 36.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects the university's focus on Business, which accounts for 27% of graduates. Biology, General is the largest program with 107 graduates earning median earnings of $52,671, and Azimuth ranks the program #236 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Azimuth ranks Business Administration, Management and Operations #262 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 99 graduates earning $56,058, while Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other ranks #73 nationally with 80 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $49,023.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology Similar quality tier (#15197 ranked) | SD | 80% | $72,257 | #15197 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Upstate Similar quality tier (#15181 ranked) | SC | 67% | $48,587 | #15181 | Compare |
University Of Illinois Springfield Similar quality tier (#15214 ranked) | IL | 86% | $57,103 | #15214 | Compare |
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Similar quality tier (#15218 ranked) | CA | 98% | $47,626 | #15218 | Compare |
Salem State University Similar quality tier (#15171 ranked) | MA | 96% | $56,662 | #15171 | Compare |
Computer Science
55 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
38 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
40 graduates
Civil Engineering
21 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
80 graduates
University of New Orleans's program mix is anchored in Business, with additional enrollment across liberal arts, social sciences, and applied professional fields. The largest programs by graduate count are Biology, General, Business Administration, and Interdisciplinary Studies, followed by Accounting and Psychology, General.
This concentration in business and applied fields shapes the institution's overall earnings profile and connects graduates to New Orleans's finance, hospitality, and commerce sectors. The strongest financial outcomes cluster in Business-adjacent and technical fields.
Computer Science leads the institution for four-year earnings, with graduates earning median earnings of $99,548 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #109 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering follows, with graduates earning median earnings of $95,630, and Azimuth ranks it #106 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Mechanical Engineering and Accounting round out the higher-earning tier, with median earnings of $91,435 and $59,301 respectively — both reflecting direct-to-workforce pathways with consistent regional demand. The highest aggregate return at University of New Orleans is anchored by Biology, General, which combines meaningful cohort scale with solid four-year earnings, making it the program with the broadest economic footprint at the institution.
Across 29 programs serving roughly 1,010 students annually, the university's strongest outcomes are concentrated in business, finance, and applied professional fields — areas well aligned with the labor-market demand visible in the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework. For context on how Azimuth evaluates program rankings, see [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
