• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,405
• Acceptance Rate: 81%
• Male/Female: 23/77
• Test Optional
• Strong Programs: Biology, Chemistry, Premed, Prepharmacy, Education, Political Science, Psychology, and Business.

Details:

• The only historically Black college with Roman Catholic ties, Xavier is bigger than a small college but smaller than most universities. Strong in pharmacy and the physical sciences and nationally known for turning out medical students and science teachers. Location in New Orleans is a big plus.
• Xavier University of Louisiana remains committed to “the promotion of a more just and humane society.”
• Says one English major: “Xavier is where future leaders are made.”
• XULA was founded in 1915 by Katharine Drexel and is located near the heart of New Orleans in a quiet neighborhood dotted with bungalows.
• Xavier’s Core curriculum consists of three stages:
  • The Foundations courses in the first year orient students to the university, basic skills like college writing, and the city of New Orleans.
  • The second stage, Explorations, requires classes in several liberal arts categories ranging from theology and scientific reasoning to African American heritage and legacies.
  • In the third stage, Engagements, students take two interdisciplinary seminars, each focusing on a different “big idea” or global issue
  • All students complete a senior capstone course in their major.
• 69% of undergrads major in a science-related field.
• In addition to the many internships available, Xaviar offers cooperative education programs in all fields and study abroad programs around the world.
• Priests and nuns teach and help run the school, though the notably diverse faculty and stuff are composed of laypeople.
• 61% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
• “Teachers are accessible and give personalized attentions,” says one senior, “especially in upper-level courses.”
• Academic and career advising are well received, and there is a strong emphasis on community service.
• Campus security is a top priority, with highly visible officers who provide rides back to the dorms after late-night study sessions.
• Popular annual events include homecoming and Spring Fest.
• Competitive teams include men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and women’s cross country.
• With a mind for the future, Xavier stays true to its beginnings as a historically Black and Catholic university and its mission of preparing students to work toward “a more just and humane society.”
• Learn more about campus life at Xavier University of Louisiana

Tools for Your College Search

Ms. Nilsen encourages all SCVi learners and families to use these valuable resources as they explore their college options:

• Fiske Guide to Colleges 2026: An annual comprehensive catalog of diverse universities here in California, nationwide, and international.
• The College Tour: A video series where college and university students tell the story of their school, giving you an inside look at academics, housing, sports, and campus life.
• Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL): A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing a student-centered college search process, supporting the goal of every student finding a college that provides a foundation for a successful and fulfilling life.

If you have any questions or want to start your personalized college planning process, please contact Academic Counselor Kris Nilsen at kris.nilsen@scvi-k12.org.