Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
60.2% Acceptance Rate
Southern University at New Orleans — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60.2%Acceptance Rate
2.4Avg GPA
910Avg SAT
16Avg ACT
$20,893Annual Cost
$34,042Grad Salary
44.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60.2%
Avg GPA
2.4
Avg SAT
910
Avg ACT
16
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
870–940
ACT Middle 50%
14–18
Avg Net Price
$15,260
Need-Based Aid
44.6% receive Pell
Southern University at New Orleans is a public, historically black institution that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs focused on academic and professional success. Known for its commitment to community service, research, and workforce development, the university provides an accessible and supportive environment. With its focus on practical learning and leadership, it serves as a vital resource for students looking to build their professional skills and make a positive impact in the region.
Southern University at New Orleans Acceptance Rate
At 60.2%, admission to Southern University at New Orleans is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What SUNO 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 — 60.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.20 – 2.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 1.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Southern University at New Orleans Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Southern University at New Orleans follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SUNO 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 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.
SUNO GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SUNO is 2.4. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
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 2.60–2.80.Check Your Admission Chances at SUNO
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Southern University at 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.
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SUNO is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SUNO Without SAT or ACT?
SUNO considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Southern University at New Orleans Average SAT Score: 910
The average SAT score of admitted students at Southern University at New Orleans is 910 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 910 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (940 SAT or 18 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Southern University at 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 870, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SUNO. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 910 | 870 | 940 |
Below 870, you're behind most admitted students; at 940 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 900
Can I get into Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) with a 950 SAT?
A 950 SAT puts you ahead of most of SUNO'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.
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at SUNO is 16.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 16 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 16 | 14 | 17 |
| ACT English | 15 | 12 | 18 |
| ACT Composite | 16 | 14 | 18 |
Can I get into Southern University at New Orleans with a 18 ACT?
A 18 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of SUNO'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 SUNO.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SUNO
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into SUNO isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Understand the Board of Regents Core Requirements and Policy 2.18 bridge before assuming a hard rejection
As a member of the Southern University System, SUNO must apply the Louisiana Board of Regents' Core Requirements, but Policy 2.18 provides a specific accommodation: students who miss required ACT subscores by up to 3 points can still be admitted under provisional terms, requiring adherence to a university implementation plan. A borderline applicant shouldn't assume a near-miss on subscores is disqualifying - ask admissions directly whether Policy 2.18 applies.
Know that SUNO's new BSN program is a proctored-interview, on-campus-TEAS process - not a typical open-admission health program
SUNO recently launched its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, but admission requires a 2.7 GPA minimum, 31 completed pre-nursing gen-ed credit hours (max 2 repeats per course, science courses over 10 years old requiring a retake), a criminal background check, and - distinctively - a scheduled interview with the Nursing Admissions Committee plus a proctored, on-campus essay written on a topic provided that day. The TEAS exam must also be taken on SUNO's campus specifically; remote results are not accepted, and scores expire after six months. This is a traditional pre-licensure BSN track, not a bridge program for LPNs or ADN-RNs.
Leverage SUNO's nationally recognized School of Social Work and its historically competitive MSW program
SUNO's School of Social Work has grown into one of the most recognized programs of its kind in the South, with its Master of Social Work program historically filling to capacity with a waiting list - a genuine draw worth researching and referencing specifically (rather than treating SUNO as a generic regional option) in an application or personal statement.
Reference SUNO's Pontchartrain Park location and HBCU-system status as a genuine, citable institutional identity
SUNO sits in Pontchartrain Park, the first subdivision of primarily African American single-family homes built in the United States, and is part of the Southern University System - the only system of publicly funded HBCUs in the nation. Connecting personal goals to this specific history, rather than generic "HBCU experience" language, stands out to readers familiar with the institution's actual identity.
Expert Insight:
Don't let a nursing-track student assume SUNO's overall approachable HBCU reputation extends to its brand-new BSN program - admission requires a proctored, on-campus essay and interview with the Nursing Admissions Committee in addition to GPA and coursework requirements, and the TEAS exam specifically cannot be taken remotely; a student expecting only a transcript review will be caught off guard by these in-person, high-stakes components.
SUNO Profile
Full Name
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO)
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70126
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a SUNO Degree Worth It?
At $20,893/year against a $34,042 median graduate salary, SUNO is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $43,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.06%.
How much does a degree from SUNO Cost?
The sticker price is $20,893/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,260.
44.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 37.8% take federal loans at SUNO. File your FAFSA early and list SUNO as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SUNO Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $34,042. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southern University at New Orleans. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southern University at New Orleans. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southern University at New Orleans. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at SUNO
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SUNO Admissions
Median earnings for Southern University at New Orleans graduates sit around $34,042 a year.
At about $20,893 a year, Southern University at New Orleans is on the more affordable end.
About 44.6% receive a Pell Grant at Southern University at New Orleans. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 60.2%, Southern University at New Orleans's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Southern University at New Orleans average a 2.4 GPA.
Southern University at New Orleans doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.1 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2, Southern University at 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 Southern University at New Orleans — aim above 910, ideally within the 870–940 range admitted students typically fall in.
Southern University at New Orleans follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 20. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 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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