Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
66.8% Acceptance Rate
University of New Orleans — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
66.8%Acceptance Rate
3.21Avg GPA
1056Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$22,605Annual Cost
$47,872Grad Salary
40.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
66.8%
Avg GPA
3.21
Avg SAT
1056
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
960–1320
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Avg Net Price
$11,147
Need-Based Aid
40.4% receive Pell
University of New Orleans, established in 1958, is a public research university in Louisiana known for its maritime and film programs. Ranked for social mobility, it offers lakeside facilities, advanced engineering labs, and proximity to downtown New Orleans.
UNO fosters cultural diversity and industry ties, providing unique opportunities in jazz studies, entrepreneurship, and coastal research in a vibrant urban setting.
University of New Orleans Acceptance Rate
University of New Orleans takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 66.8% each year.
What UNO Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 66.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.21 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.01 – 3.20
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.76
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of New Orleans Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of New Orleans follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 130 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UNO reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
December 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UNO GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UNO is 3.21. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.91–3.21 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.41–3.61.UNO GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.21 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.01 – 3.20
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.81 – 3.00
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.80
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Officially became LSU New Orleans on July 1, 2026, rejoining the LSU System after leaving it in 2011.
- No application fee, no required essay, no required letter of recommendation for first-year applicants.
- Located at 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans - the Lakefront campus.
- Offers 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs across business, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UNO
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of New Orleans's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of New Orleans (UNO) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UNO is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UNO Without SAT or ACT?
UNO considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of New Orleans Average SAT Score: 1056
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of New Orleans is 1056 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1056 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of New Orleans allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UNO. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 580 | 490 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 470 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1056 | 960 | 1320 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1320 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into University of New Orleans (UNO) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of UNO's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of New Orleans (UNO) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UNO is 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 23 |
Can I get into University of New Orleans with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UNO's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UNO.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNO
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UNO is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Know that "UNO" officially became LSU New Orleans as of July 1, 2026
This is a real, recent institutional change, not just a rebrand: the Louisiana Legislature transferred the campus from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System, and the school is now marketed as LSU New Orleans. Applicants and counselors should use the new name and site (lsuneworleans.edu) going forward - old UNO branding and URLs may still surface but are legacy references.
No essay or letter of recommendation required for first-year applicants
As confirmed via Common App and the school's own admissions data, LSU New Orleans (formerly UNO) does not require a personal essay or recommendation letter for first-year admission, and charges no application fee. Students should not over-invest time writing a polished essay that won't be reviewed - that time is better spent on FAFSA and housing applications instead.
Understand the nickname didn't change even though the system did
Despite joining the LSU System, the school explicitly kept its "Privateers" nickname rather than adopting "Tigers." This is a small but real detail that shows genuine research if referenced in any interview or scholarship interview - it signals the applicant looked past the surface-level name change.
Ask directly about program stability given the transition
Enrollment dropped from a pre-Katrina peak of about 17,000 to roughly 5,000 before this transition, which was driven partly by budget shortfalls and furloughs. Prospective students should ask their admissions counselor directly which programs are being expanded or consolidated under the new LSU System leadership, since this is actively in flux.
Expert Insight:
Because this transition is so recent (July 2026), some materials, guidance counselors, and even search results still reference "University of New Orleans" - students and counselors should double check they're looking at current LSU New Orleans admissions pages, not outdated UNO-branded content, especially for financial aid and program listings.
UNO Profile
Full Name
University of New Orleans (UNO)
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70148
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UNO Degree Worth It?
Whether UNO is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $51,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.05%.
How much does a degree from UNO Cost?
The sticker price is $22,605/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $11,147.
40.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 28.2% take federal loans at UNO. File your FAFSA early and list UNO as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UNO Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $47,872. That's about 18% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of New Orleans. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of New Orleans. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of New Orleans. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UNO
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UNO Admissions
Median earnings for University of New Orleans graduates sit around $47,872 a year.
At about $22,605 a year, University of New Orleans is on the more affordable end.
About 40.4% receive a Pell Grant at University of New Orleans. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 66.8%, University of New Orleans's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of New Orleans average a 3.21 GPA.
University of New Orleans doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.91 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.81, University of New Orleans becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of New Orleans — aim above 1056, ideally within the 960–1320 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of New Orleans is December 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 25. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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