7 Cheapest Universities in New Orleans for International Students

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In New Orleans, Louisiana, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in New Orleans, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 7 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New Orleans, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in New Orleans for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New Orleans ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Southern University at New Orleans 8,900 USD 67%
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center 12,400 USD - 17,300 USD 54%
University of New Orleans 14,200 USD 47%
Dillard University 19,200 USD 28%
Xavier University of Louisiana 24,000 USD - 37,000 USD 10%
Loyola University New Orleans 45,100 USD -68%
Tulane University 62,900 USD -135%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 26,700 USD for universities in New Orleans.

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1. Southern University at New Orleans

The Southern University at New Orleans, or SUNO, is a 17-acre large university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1956, the school is considered as a Historically black college or university (HCBU) in the United States. Despite this, SUNO hosts more than just African-Americans but also students from all over the globe. The university has provided undergraduate and graduate level programs and top-notch student services for arts, sports, and recreation.

2. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center was established as a teaching and research institution affiliated with over a hundred hospitals and institutions across the state. Its Health Science Center initially established the School of Medicine, followed by Graduate Studies, Dentistry, Nursing, Allied Health Professions, and Public Health. The university is accredited to confer associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees to its students by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

3. University of New Orleans

University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public institution with the mission to provide higher education to students regardless of background. From its founding to the present, its goal of promoting inclusivity hasn’t faded. Moreover, besides offering top-rated programs, UNO is a nationally recognized institution in the US that continues to find ways to improve its education system.

4. Dillard University

Dillard University is a historic black private university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dillard University offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Nursing degrees in more than 35 majors and holds dual degree programs in several fields. The university is famous for its undergraduate research programs, especially in education and nursing, and among them, professional training programs are well-run systematically.

5. Xavier University of Louisiana

The Xavier University of Louisiana has a rich history of being the only historically black and Catholic academic institution and the only university founded by a saint. XULA was established by Katherine Drexel and the Blessed Sacrament sisters to mold future leaders for a more humane and just world. They do so by providing excellent education and diverse opportunities. The university’s placements among US university rankings: 383rd (Times Higher Education) and 301 (QS Top Universities) are a testament to their teaching.

6. Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans is a Roman Catholic academic institution founded by the Jesuits. Around 140+ programs are available for undergrad, grad, and professional students. Several of those programs are available on an online setup. The Times Higher Education ranking places Loyola at 401st in the US, while the US News puts it at 202nd.

7. Tulane University

Tulane University already has a deep history of providing excellent education. The university began as a small medical college and flourished into becoming a top-ranked institution in Louisiana state. Tulane University takes pride in being the first research university to require community service in its curriculum and vows to continue that legacy in the coming years.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in New Orleans for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New Orleans ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Southern University at New Orleans 9,378 USD 37%
University of New Orleans 13,700 USD - 18,000 USD 8%
Xavier University of Louisiana 14,200 USD - 25,300 USD 5%
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center 16,500 USD - 17,300 USD -11%
Tulane University 20,400 USD - 64,100 USD -37%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 14,900 USD for universities in New Orleans.

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1. Southern University at New Orleans

The Southern University at New Orleans, or SUNO, is a 17-acre large university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1956, the school is considered as a Historically black college or university (HCBU) in the United States. Despite this, SUNO hosts more than just African-Americans but also students from all over the globe. The university has provided undergraduate and graduate level programs and top-notch student services for arts, sports, and recreation.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Southern University at New Orleans should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 9,378 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. University of New Orleans

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of New Orleans. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of New Orleans is 13,678 USD to 17,971 USD.

University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public institution with the mission to provide higher education to students regardless of background. From its founding to the present, its goal of promoting inclusivity hasn’t faded. Moreover, besides offering top-rated programs, UNO is a nationally recognized institution in the US that continues to find ways to improve its education system.

3. Xavier University of Louisiana

The Xavier University of Louisiana has a rich history of being the only historically black and Catholic academic institution and the only university founded by a saint. XULA was established by Katherine Drexel and the Blessed Sacrament sisters to mold future leaders for a more humane and just world. They do so by providing excellent education and diverse opportunities. The university’s placements among US university rankings: 383rd (Times Higher Education) and 301 (QS Top Universities) are a testament to their teaching.

The tuition fee at Xavier University of Louisiana for incoming international master’s students is 14,192 USD to 25,216 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Another affordable university to consider in New Orleans is Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center was established as a teaching and research institution affiliated with over a hundred hospitals and institutions across the state. Its Health Science Center initially established the School of Medicine, followed by Graduate Studies, Dentistry, Nursing, Allied Health Professions, and Public Health. The university is accredited to confer associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees to its students by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

The tuition fee in Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center for master’s program for foreign students starts from 16,448 USD.

5. Tulane University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Tulane University has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 20,376 USD yearly.

Tulane University already has a deep history of providing excellent education. The university began as a small medical college and flourished into becoming a top-ranked institution in Louisiana state. Tulane University takes pride in being the first research university to require community service in its curriculum and vows to continue that legacy in the coming years.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in New Orleans, Louisiana?

Applying to cheap universities in New Orleans requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United States for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in New Orleans?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New Orleans. For example, one of the best affordable schools in New Orleans is the Dillard University, which offers Accounting, Computer Science, and Financial Economics to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers Nursing, Basic Science, and Bioinformatics.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in New Orleans, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in New Orleans as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in New Orleans for international students was helpful!