Tulane University of Louisiana is a private university in New Orleans, LA with 15,598 students. Its 14.6% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Social Sciences, and Biological Sciences. Graduates earn a median of $63,268 ten years after enrollment.
With an acceptance rate of 14.6%, Tulane University is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.
Your Profile
Tulane University Is...
What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application
Match
Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths
Reach
Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA
Hard Reach
Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates
Tulane University True Cost by Family Income
Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at Tulane. Families earning $0-30k pay around $16,126 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $56,667. 9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Tulane enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $20,500, which is reasonable against the $50,220 typical early-career salary.
Family Income
Annual Net Price
4-Year Total
$0-30k
$16,126
$64,504
$30-48k
$18,041
$72,164
$48-75k
$20,149
$80,596
$75-110k
$28,207
$112,828
$110k+
$56,667
$226,668
Cost Breakdown
Room & Board
$18,088
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,004
Popular Majors at Tulane University
Percentage of degrees awarded by field.
Business/Marketing
27.6%
Social Sciences
16.6%
Biological Sciences
8.5%
Psychology
7.9%
Health Professions
7.3%
Communication
6.7%
Visual/Performing Arts
3.7%
Architecture
2.7%
Computer Science
2.6%
English/Literature
2.5%
Engineering
2.3%
Student Demographics
White
63.6%
Black/African American
7.7%
Hispanic/Latino
9.0%
Asian
5.2%
International
7.1%
How to Get Into Tulane University
Tulane is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1450+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Tulane wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.
1450
Target SAT Score
32
Target ACT Score
14.6%
Acceptance Rate
27,936
Total Applicants
What Tulane University Values Most in Applicants
Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.
Factor
Importance
Academic Gpa
Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record
Very Important
Class Rank
Considered
Standardized Test Scores
Considered
Application Essay
Very Important
Recommendation
Important
Extracurricular Activities
Important
Talent Ability
Important
Character Personal Qualities
Very Important
First Generation
Considered
Alumni Relation
Considered
Interview
Considered
Work Experience
Considered
Volunteer Work
Considered
Tulane University Application Deadlines & Requirements
Key dates for the Tulane University EA/ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.
Deadline
Date
Early Action
Nov 15
Early Decision
Nov 1
Regular Decision
Jan 15
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)
Feb 15
Early Decision: Tulane University offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Tulane University is your clear first choice.
Financial Aid & Student Debt
9.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$20,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$50,220
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment
Frequently Asked Questions About Tulane University
What is Tulane's acceptance rate?
Tulane has an acceptance rate of 14.6%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Tulane?
The middle 50% SAT range at Tulane is 1390-1510. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 31-33. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Tulane?
The most popular majors at Tulane by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (27.6%), Social Sciences (16.6%), Biological Sciences (8.5%), Psychology (7.9%), Health Professions (7.3%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
How much do Tulane graduates earn?
Tulane graduates earn a median salary of $63,268 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.
Is Tulane worth the cost?
With median earnings of $63,268 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $20,500, The earning potential strongly outweighs the typical debt, making Tulane a solid investment for most students. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.
Can I transfer to Tulane?
Tulane accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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