Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
74.5% Acceptance Rate
Xavier University of Louisiana — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.5%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1077Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$39,183Annual Cost
$52,184Grad Salary
51.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.5%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1077
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
953–1138
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Need-Based Aid
51.7% receive Pell
Xavier University of Louisiana is a private, Catholic, historically Black university known for its academic excellence, particularly in the sciences and health professions. With a long-standing commitment to social justice and service, the university fosters an environment that encourages intellectual inquiry and professional leadership. Its focus on preparing students for high-impact roles makes it a premier choice for those seeking a world-class education rooted in Catholic and Black heritage.
Xavier University of Louisiana Acceptance Rate
Xavier University of Louisiana is moderately selective. 74.5% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Xavier University of Louisiana 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 — 74.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.25
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Xavier University of Louisiana Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Xavier University of Louisiana 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 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Xavier University of Louisiana 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 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
Xavier University of Louisiana GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Xavier University of Louisiana is 3.7. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.40 and 3.7? 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 3.90–4.10.Xavier University of Louisiana GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.30 – 3.49
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.29
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Xavier is simultaneously Catholic and historically Black - founded by St. Katharine Drexel - a dual identity that shapes both its mission-driven admissions language and its heavy pre-health/pre-pharmacy institutional focus.
- General acceptance rate is roughly 69% (2024-25 IPEDS), but yield is unusually low at ~12%, meaning Xavier is a common "admit but don't enroll" school - demonstrated interest in essays and follow-up communication can matter more here than at peer schools.
- No separate scholarship application is required - merit aid is determined from the general application, so completing the admission file fully and on time IS the scholarship application.
- The Chemistry-Prepharmacy Contingent Admit Program (CAP) is Xavier's most powerful and least-publicized hook for STEM-focused applicants - most competing counseling advice online only discusses the standard post-sophomore PharmCAS route.
- 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 Xavier University of Louisiana
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Xavier University of Louisiana's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Xavier University of Louisiana Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Xavier University of Louisiana is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Xavier University of Louisiana Without SAT or ACT?
Xavier University of Louisiana considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Xavier University of Louisiana Average SAT Score: 1077
The average SAT score of admitted students at Xavier University of Louisiana is 1077 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1077 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1138 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Xavier 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 953, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Xavier 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 | 512 | 453 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 534 | 500 | 568 |
| SAT Composite | 1077 | 953 | 1138 |
Below 953, you're behind most admitted students; at 1138 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 1100
Can I get into Xavier University of Louisiana with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Xavier 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.
Xavier University of Louisiana ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Xavier University of Louisiana is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into Xavier University of Louisiana with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Xavier University of Louisiana'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 Xavier University of Louisiana.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Xavier University of Louisiana
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Xavier University of Louisiana takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the Test-Optional Essay as Your Real Application
XULA is test-optional, and if a student applies without SAT/ACT scores, the school requires a specific written essay in place of scores: "Why do you want to attend Xavier University of Louisiana?" Most applicants and even some counselors treat this as a throwaway box, but for test-optional applicants it functions as the entire academic-judgment portion of the file. Counsel students to name a specific XULA structural feature (the direct 6-year Pharm.D. pathway, the pre-med committee process, a specific research lab) rather than generic "HBCU community" language - admissions staff read hundreds of versions of the community-focused answer per cycle and the specific-program answer is what differentiates a file with no test score to anchor it.
Route STEM/Health-Bound Students Through the Chemistry-Prepharmacy Track From Day One
Xavier's single most distinctive lever is the College of Pharmacy's Contingent Admit Program (CAP): a small number of qualified incoming freshmen are given a conditional seat in the Pharm.D. program before they even start their undergraduate coursework, contingent on completing the 64-credit-hour Chemistry-Prepharmacy curriculum with required grades. This is not advertised loudly outside the Chemistry department page. If a student's goal is pharmacy, the strategy is to declare Chemistry-Prepharmacy as the entering major and explicitly request CAP consideration in the application/interview stage - bypassing the separate, far more competitive PharmCAS route most applicants take after two years of coursework.
Lean Into the "Top Producer of Black Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates" Positioning in Health-Track Essays
Xavier is consistently cited as one of the top four producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy graduates nationally and is the #1 school nationally for placing Black students into medical school - this is core to the institution's mission (founded by St. Katharine Drexel to educate Black and Native American students in a Catholic framework). For pre-health applicants, essays and interviews that connect the applicant's own health-equity motivation to Xavier's actual outcomes data (not just "diversity" language) resonate directly with what pharmacy/pre-med committee reviewers are trained to look for, since underserved-community service is baked into the College of Pharmacy's stated mission.
Apply Early Action If Pursuing Music or Nursing - Both Have Hard Add-On Requirements
Music applicants need an audition and Nursing applicants face a materially stricter secondary review beyond the general holistic process; Xavier's own guidance is to apply Early Action specifically for these two programs to get priority scheduling for the audition/review steps. A student who applies Regular Decision to Nursing or Music risks running out of runway to complete these add-on steps before seats fill. Counselors should treat "which major" as the first question for any XULA applicant, since it changes the entire procedural timeline, not just the difficulty.
Expert Insight:
Don't let students assume XULA's ~69% overall acceptance rate makes every program equally accessible - that number reflects general admission, not the College of Pharmacy or Nursing, which run separate, far more selective secondary reviews (PharmCAS holistic review plus an in-person interview for pharmacy; GPA/prerequisite screens for nursing). A student can be admitted to Xavier broadly and still be declined from the health professional program that was their entire reason for applying, so build the prerequisite GPA case from freshman year, not senior year.
Xavier University of Louisiana Profile
Full Name
Xavier University of Louisiana
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70125-1098
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Xavier University of Louisiana Degree Worth It?
Whether Xavier University of Louisiana 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 $55,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.78%.
How much does a degree from Xavier University of Louisiana Cost?
The sticker price is $39,183/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
51.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 54.6% take federal loans at Xavier University of Louisiana. File your FAFSA early and list Xavier University of Louisiana as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Xavier University of Louisiana Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $52,184. That's about 29% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Xavier University of Louisiana. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| 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 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 1057 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Xavier University of Louisiana. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Xavier University of Louisiana. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Xavier University of Louisiana
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Xavier University of Louisiana Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Xavier University of Louisiana run about $52,184 a year.
Xavier University of Louisiana costs roughly $39,183 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
With 51.7% of Xavier University of Louisiana students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Xavier University of Louisiana is the key move.
At 74.5%, Xavier University of Louisiana's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Xavier University of Louisiana average a 3.7 GPA.
Xavier University of Louisiana doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.4 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.3, Xavier 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 Xavier University of Louisiana — aim above 1077, ideally within the 953–1138 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Xavier University of Louisiana is December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 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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