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Southern University at New Orleans

SUNO

New Orleans, Louisiana 70126

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanGreek lifeHBCU

Known for business — close-knit campus

Southern University at New Orleans is a public institution in New Orleans with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 910, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.1K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

18% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $34,042 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,260.

Established
1956
Type
Public historically black university
Conference
National Association of

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60%Acceptance
910SAT Avg
1,095Students
13:1Student:Faculty
18%Grad Rate
$34,042Earnings 10yr
$15,260Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate60.2%

ACT Score Range

Composite
1418

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,490
Tuition (out-of-state)$16,390
Room & Board$10,340
Books & Supplies$1,300
Total Cost of Attendance$20,893
Average Net Price$15,260
Median Debt at Graduation$31,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$329

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,247
$48–75K$16,748

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

62.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (32)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

48%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,095
Gender Split
74% / 26%
Women / Men
First Generation
50%
Pell Grant Recipients
45%

Race & Ethnicity

White 2%
Black 93%
Hispanic 2%
Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate17.9%
Freshman Retention48.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$29,148
10 Years$34,042

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Washington Monthly
#222
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Southern University was founded in New Orleans in 1880 and moved out of the city in 1914 due to logistical concerns as well as pressure from its White neighbors.
  • SUNO was then founded as a branch of Southern by Act 28 of the Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature of September 4, 1956.
  • On September 21, 1959, SUNO opened its doors on a 17-acre site located in historic Pontchartrain Park, a subdivision of primarily African American single-family residences in eastern New Orleans.
  • Established as an open community of learners, classes began with 158 freshmen, one building and a faculty of fifteen.
  • The first graduation took place in May 1963 when baccalaureate degrees were awarded to 15 graduates.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from LA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

New Orleanspop. 380K
5 mi(9 min)
Houstonpop. 2.3M
319 mi(553 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
420 mi(728 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSY New Orleans13 mi
BHM Birmingham312 mi
IAH Houston Intercontinental317 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1354 mi · ~39h 7m drive
New York, NY1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Hartford, CT1262 mi · ~36h 27m drive
Providence, RI1318 mi · ~38h 5m drive
Albany, NY1254 mi · ~36h 14m drive
Syracuse, NY1182 mi · ~34h 9m drive
Rochester, NY1137 mi · ~32h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY1082 mi · ~31h 15m drive
Philadelphia, PA1084 mi · ~31h 19m drive
Pittsburgh, PA915 mi · ~26h 26m drive
Harrisburg, PA1024 mi · ~29h 35m drive
Newark, NJ1157 mi · ~33h 25m drive
Washington, DC960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Baltimore, MD994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Atlanta, GA420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
Charlotte, NC644 mi · ~18h 36m drive
Raleigh, NC771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Miami, FL670 mi · ~19h 21m drive
Orlando, FL532 mi · ~15h 22m drive
Tampa, FL480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
Nashville, TN464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
New Orleans, LA5 mi · ~9 min drive
Richmond, VA890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
Chicago, IL830 mi · ~23h 59m drive
Detroit, MI935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Minneapolis, MN1048 mi · ~30h 17m drive
St. Louis, MO594 mi · ~17h 10m drive
Kansas City, MO678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Indianapolis, IN708 mi · ~20h 27m drive
Columbus, OH793 mi · ~22h 55m drive
Cleveland, OH920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Milwaukee, WI907 mi · ~26h 12m drive
Dallas, TX441 mi · ~12h 44m drive
Houston, TX319 mi · ~9h 13m drive
Austin, TX460 mi · ~13h 17m drive
San Antonio, TX509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA1669 mi · ~48h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA1922 mi · ~55h 31m drive
San Diego, CA1606 mi · ~46h 24m drive
Seattle, WA2096 mi · ~60h 33m drive
Portland, OR2058 mi · ~59h 27m drive
Denver, CO1078 mi · ~31h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ1313 mi · ~37h 56m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1431 mi · ~41h 20m drive
Honolulu, HI4207 mi · ~121h 32m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

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