University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of New Orleans at a Glance
LSU New Orleans (LSUNO), known from 1974 to 2026 as the University of New Orleans (UNO), is a public research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. First opened in 1958 as Louisiana State University in New Orleans (LSUNO), it is the largest public university and one of two doctoral research universities in the Greater New Orleans region. LSUNO is a member of the Louisiana State University System and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The univ…
1956
70 years old
$26M
$25.8 million (2021)
5,200
3,800 undergrad · 1,400 grad
571
195 acres
Identity
Is University of New Orleans Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, University of New Orleans is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,872 — 11% below average — while paying $12,384/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of New Orleans has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of New Orleans compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #67 of 146 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #67 | University of New Orleans | 39 | $12,384 | $47,872 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of New Orleans's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in LA.
Best Programs at University of New Orleans
The highest-earning program at University of New Orleans is Mechanical Engineering at $59,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $13,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of New Orleans earns $59,400, while a Music graduate earns $13,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $18,050 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,384/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,400 | $59,400 | $23,000 |
| Computer Science | $53,600 | $53,600 | $18,365 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,200 | $50,200 | $17,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,200 | $42,200 | $16,011 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $17,239 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,400 | $39,400 | $19,584 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $33,400 | $33,400 | $17,866 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,900 | $31,900 | $15,000 |
| Marketing | $30,300 | $30,300 | $14,660 |
| Psychology, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $18,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $26,600 | $26,600 | $19,624 |
| History | $26,400 | $26,400 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $15,335 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,500 | $23,500 | $18,750 |
| Biology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $16,934 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $21,900 | $21,900 | $16,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $15,500 | $15,500 | N/A |
| Music | $13,700 | $13,700 | $18,050 |
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Student Body
- 4,638 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,384
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,872
- Median Student Debt
- $18,750