Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
14.6% Acceptance Rate
Tulane University of Louisiana — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
14.6%Acceptance Rate
3.64Avg GPA
1443Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$83,761Annual Cost
$63,268Grad Salary
9.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
14.6%
Avg GPA
3.64
Avg SAT
1443
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1390–1510
ACT Middle 50%
31–33
Need-Based Aid
9.3% receive Pell
Tulane University of Louisiana, established in 1834, is a top-tier research university in New Orleans. Known for its public health and law programs, Tulane combines rigorous academics with community engagement. The university's School of Medicine and School of Public Health address global health disparities. Tulane's unique offerings include disaster resilience leadership and jazz studies.
The campus blends historic oak-lined quadrangles with modern research facilities. Tulane's location in NOLA provides cultural richness and service-learning opportunities. Alumni include healthcare pioneers and Pulitzer winners. Tulane's spirit of work hard, play hard reflects its dynamic environment.
Tulane University of Louisiana Acceptance Rate
Tulane University of Louisiana accepted just 14.6% of applicants last cycle — roughly 15 out of every 100 who applied — placing it among the most selective schools among colleges in Louisiana.
What Tulane University of Louisiana Admissions Looks For
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 14.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Tulane University of Louisiana Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Tulane University of Louisiana is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 98 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/12/05) 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.
Tulane University of Louisiana GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Tulane University of Louisiana is 3.64. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.34 and 3.64? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.84–4.04.Tulane University of Louisiana GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.24 – 3.43
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.23
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One optional-but-strongly-recommended supplemental essay (250 words max, combining "why Tulane" and "what you'll contribute"); Common App personal statement is the only formally required essay.
- Acceptance rate has fallen sharply in recent years, now cited around 10-13% depending on the specific cycle and source.
- Test-optional; the majority of recently admitted students did not submit scores, though those who did averaged roughly SAT 1490 / ACT 33.
- Known for filling most of its incoming class through Early Decision and weighting demonstrated interest heavily - a real strategic consideration distinct from peer research universities with less ED-dependent admissions.
- 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 Tulane University of Louisiana
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Tulane University of Louisiana'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.
Tulane University of Louisiana Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Tulane University of Louisiana is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Tulane University of Louisiana Without SAT or ACT?
Tulane University of Louisiana considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Tulane University of Louisiana Average SAT Score: 1443
The average SAT score of admitted students at Tulane University of Louisiana is 1443 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1443 — Very Competitive
A 1443 average puts Tulane University of Louisiana well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1510 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Tulane University of Louisiana allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1390, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Tulane University of Louisiana. 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 | 730 | 700 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 720 | 690 | 750 |
| SAT Composite | 1443 | 1390 | 1510 |
Below 1390, you're behind most admitted students; at 1510 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 1450
Can I get into Tulane University of Louisiana with a 1500 SAT?
A 1500 SAT puts you ahead of most of Tulane University of Louisiana'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.
Tulane University of Louisiana ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Tulane University of Louisiana is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 32 |
| ACT English | 33 | 31 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Can I get into Tulane University of Louisiana with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Tulane University of Louisiana's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 Tulane University of Louisiana.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Tulane University of Louisiana
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To succeed at a world-class institution like Tulane University of Louisiana, move beyond 'well-rounded' and show you're institutionally necessary — a specific, undeniable strength rather than a broad set of decent ones.
Treat the single "optional" essay as functionally mandatory
Tulane's only supplemental prompt (250 words, combining a "why Tulane" and "what will you contribute" question) is officially optional, but Tulane's own application language explicitly recommends all applicants respond, and virtually every counselor source treats skipping it as a real liability given acceptance rates in the 10-13% range. Build it into every Tulane applicant's required-task list regardless of the "optional" label.
Cite specific, lesser-known Tulane resources rather than generic New Orleans appeal
Because the prompt explicitly asks what a student will contribute and how they'll use Tulane's resources, push students toward specific, name-checkable details - the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, the Changemaker Institute, TIDES first-year seminars, or the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South - rather than writing about loving the city's food, music, or weather, which admissions readers report seeing constantly and which doesn't differentiate one applicant from another.
Build the application calendar around Tulane's heavy reliance on Early Decision
Tulane is known for filling the large majority of its incoming class through Early Decision and weighing demonstrated interest seriously in admissions review. For students who have genuinely decided Tulane is a top choice, applying ED is a meaningfully different strategic lever here than at schools where ED offers only a marginal admit-rate boost - walk families through this tradeoff explicitly given ED's binding commitment.
Don't pad the 250-word essay just to hit the maximum
Tulane's own application language states explicitly that reaching the 250-word maximum is "neither necessary nor expected," and that the university prefers focus and efficiency over length. Coach students who naturally land at 150-180 words not to artificially stretch their response - a tight, well-edited shorter essay is exactly what the prompt's own instructions ask for.
Expert Insight:
A frequent and costly mistake: students treat "optional" literally and skip Tulane's supplement entirely, not realizing that at this selectivity level (roughly 10-13% acceptance depending on cycle) and with Tulane's stated emphasis on demonstrated interest, omitting it can read as a lack of genuine interest in attending. Encourage every serious applicant to submit a response.
Tulane University of Louisiana Profile
Full Name
Tulane University of Louisiana
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70118-5698
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Tulane University of Louisiana Degree Worth It?
At $83,761/year against a $63,268 median graduate salary, Tulane University of Louisiana 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 $69,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.35%.
How much does a degree from Tulane University of Louisiana Cost?
The sticker price is $83,761/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
9.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 20.9% take federal loans at Tulane University of Louisiana — file your FAFSA early and list Tulane University of Louisiana as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Tulane University of Louisiana Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $63,268 — about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Tulane University of Louisiana. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Tulane University of Louisiana. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Tulane University of Louisiana. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Tulane University of Louisiana
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Tulane University of Louisiana Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Tulane University of Louisiana run about $63,268 a year.
At about $83,761 a year, Tulane University of Louisiana's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Pell Grant data isn't published for Tulane University of Louisiana. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.
Tulane University of Louisiana admits 14.6% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
Admitted students at Tulane University of Louisiana average a 3.64 GPA.
Tulane University of Louisiana doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.34 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.24, Tulane University of Louisiana 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 Tulane University of Louisiana — aim above 1443, ideally within the 1390–1510 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Tulane University of Louisiana is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2025/12/05. 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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