Tulane University

Tulane University

(Tulane)

Tulane University is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, known for its strong public health school, service learning requirement, and vibrant cultural setting. Its location in one of America's most distinctive cities provides unique opportunities for community engagement and interdisciplinary study of culture, public policy, and the environment.

Mascot: Green Wave

Notable Alumni

David Filo (co-founder of Yahoo!)Douglas Hurley (NASA astronaut)Lisa P. Jackson (former EPA Administrator)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
15%
SAT (Optional)
1405–1500
Avg GPA
3.77
Enrollment
7.3K
Setting
Urban
Founded
1834

Cost

Tuition$72K
Room & Board$20K
Est. Annual Total$92K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

Top public health school
New Orleans culture
Service learning requirement

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 1
Conference
American Athletic Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Very Active
Academic Pressure
Moderate
Greek Life
Prominent
Campus Beauty
Beautiful

Tulane is consistently ranked among the top party schools in America, and New Orleans is the reason — Mardi Gras, the Boot (the legendary campus bar), and a city that never stops provide an unrelenting social backdrop. About 40% of students go Greek, making it a prominent social force, though the city itself drives the scene as much as any fraternity. Programs like public health and political science are genuinely strong.

Set along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans' Uptown neighborhood, the campus features stately Richardsonian Romanesque buildings shaded by centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The lush subtropical landscaping and historic streetcar rolling past give it a uniquely romantic Southern atmosphere.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetySafe

Campus crime dropped 32% from 2023 to 2024 and 42% since 2019. TUPD officers responded to over 8,000 calls in their expanded patrol area in 2024.

Neighborhood SafetyModerate

While the Uptown/Audubon area near campus is one of New Orleans' safer neighborhoods, the broader city has elevated crime rates. Exercise awareness beyond the TUPD patrol perimeter.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Weekdays during the academic year; Campus Preview Days on select dates

Duration: ~2 hours (30-min info session + 90-min student-led tour)

Tours begin at 210 Gibson Hall, 6823 St. Charles Avenue. Groups of 8+ must register separately through the Large Group Tours page. Specialized tours of performing/visual arts and architecture facilities also available.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

Tulane's campus is open for self-exploration, and a virtual tour is available online. The campus is walkable and adjacent to Audubon Park.

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Find the Middle American Research Institute on the 3rd floor of Dinwiddie Hall — a hidden museum of Mayan artifacts and history that most tourists and even many New Orleans residents don't know exists. It's free and fascinating.
Ride the St. Charles Streetcar to campus from the French Quarter ($1.25 each way, download the Le Pass app) — the oak-canopied avenue is one of America's most beautiful streets and the ride itself is a quintessential New Orleans experience.
Walk across St. Charles Avenue to Audubon Park after your tour — the live oaks, lagoons, and free Audubon Zoo entrance for Tulane students make it the campus backyard. The 1.8-mile jogging loop is gorgeous.
Eat a po'boy at Domilise's (5240 Annunciation St, 15 min from campus) — this cash-only neighborhood joint has been making the city's best shrimp po'boys since 1918. Get there before noon to avoid the line.
Stroll Magazine Street after your visit (6 miles of eclectic shops, antiques, and restaurants stretching from campus toward downtown) — and end at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter for beignets and cafe au lait.
Best Time to Visit

October through November for mild weather and Saints/Tulane football energy, or February through April (Mardi Gras season peaks in February). Campus Preview Days offer the most structured experience. Avoid July-August when New Orleans heat and humidity are oppressive (95°F+ with 90% humidity). Spring semester is more fun than fall thanks to Mardi Gras traditions.

Getting There

Very limited campus parking — only 2 visitor spots at Cowen Circle near Gibson Hall. Daily permits for Diboll Parking Garage (floors 2-6) available. Street parking on side streets is your best bet. St. Charles Streetcar stops directly at campus ($1.25, Le Pass app for credit card). Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is 20 minutes west; rideshare ~$30-40. Take the streetcar instead of driving — parking is a genuine headache.

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