Tulane University of Louisiana
Tulane University of Louisiana — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Tulane University of Louisiana at a Glance
The Tulane University of Louisiana is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded as the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834 by a cohort of medical doctors, it became a comprehensive public university as the University of Louisiana in 1847. The institution became private under the endowments of Paul Tulane and Josephine Louise Newcomb in 1884 and 1887. The Tulane University School of Law and the Tulane University School of Medicine are, respectively, the 12th…
1834
192 years old
$2.5B
$2.47 billion (2025)
14,027
8,610 undergrad · 5,452 grad
1,200
110 acres
Identity
Is Tulane University of Louisiana Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Tulane University of Louisiana is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,268 — 18% above average — while paying $39,949/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
With a 88% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 14% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Tulane University of Louisiana has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Tulane University of Louisiana compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wake Forest University | 61 | $28,719 | $78,158 |
| #2 | Ensign College | 44 | $10,824 | $50,630 |
| #3 | Tulane University of Louisiana | 35 | $39,949 | $63,268 |
| #4 | Bellevue University | 34 | $17,550 | $61,289 |
| #5 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | 32 | $16,898 | $59,986 |
| #6 | National University | 31 | $22,878 | $67,548 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Tulane University of Louisiana's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Tulane University of Louisiana
The highest-earning program at Tulane University of Louisiana is Finance and Financial Management Services at $62,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Tulane University of Louisiana earns $62,800, while a Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduate earns $20,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $39,949/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,800 | $62,800 | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,700 | $51,700 | $23,251 |
| Architecture | $46,800 | $46,800 | $30,205 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $46,800 | $46,800 | N/A |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $44,400 | $44,400 | $29,875 |
| Marketing | $42,800 | $42,800 | $24,250 |
| Economics | $41,100 | $41,100 | $22,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,100 | $36,100 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $34,100 | $34,100 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,725 |
| History | $33,000 | $33,000 | $20,258 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $32,200 | $32,200 | $23,250 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $31,000 | $31,000 | $19,830 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $37,038 |
| Social Sciences, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $31,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $28,000 | $28,000 | $21,750 |
| Area Studies | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,027 |
| Sociology | $26,700 | $26,700 | $20,985 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $26,500 | $26,500 | $22,149 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $21,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $24,400 | $24,400 | $23,250 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $20,800 | $20,800 | N/A |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Student Body
- 7,767 students
- Admission Rate
- 14%
- Graduation Rate
- 88%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $39,949
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,268
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500