Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private Colleges in Louisiana
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Louisiana
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Louisiana is Tulane University in New Orleans, an R1 research university whose strong graduation rate, national reputation, and deep program breadth place it well above other private institutions in the state. The Best Value pick is Loyola University New Orleans, a Jesuit university whose generous merit and need aid, strong outcomes, and lower net cost deliver an excellent return on a private education.
This list serves students and families weighing private four-year options across Louisiana, with a focus on academics, outcomes, cost, and fit. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from each institution, U.S. News, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and College Scorecard.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against the priorities applicants and families actually raise, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and NCES IPEDS. The weighting:
- Academic quality and selectivity - 25%
- Graduation and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and net cost - 15%
- Faculty and resources - 15%
- Student life and environment - 15%
- Program breadth and fit - 10%
A college that posts strong selectivity but graduates few, or wins on reputation but leaves graduates with weak outcomes, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. Tulane University 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private, Research (R1) | Tuition: ~$66,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students seeking a nationally ranked research university with broad programs
Tulane University in New Orleans is Louisiana's flagship private research university, enrolling about 14,000 students with a six-year graduation rate near 86%. Tulane is highly selective, offers strong programs in business (Freeman), public health, architecture, and the liberal arts, and is known for its service-learning requirement.
Its national reputation, research funding, and strong post-grad outcomes anchor the top spot, and substantial financial aid offsets the high sticker price for many families.
Pros:
- Six-year graduation rate near 86%
- R1 research university with broad, strong programs
- National reputation and strong post-grad outcomes
- Substantial financial aid offsets sticker price
Cons:
- High sticker tuition before aid
- Highly selective admission
Verdict: Tulane wins on balance - Louisiana's only nationally ranked private research university with outcomes to match.
2. Loyola University New Orleans 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private, Catholic (Jesuit) | Tuition: ~$48,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students wanting strong Jesuit education with generous aid
Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit university enrolling about 4,500 students with strong programs in music industry studies, business, law, and communications. Loyola offers generous merit and need-based aid that significantly lowers net cost, a student-faculty ratio near 11:1, and a Jesuit emphasis on service and formation.
Its graduation outcomes and value-per-dollar make it the best return among Louisiana privates.
Pros:
- Generous merit and need aid lowers net cost
- Student-faculty ratio near 11:1
- Standout music industry, law, and communications programs
- Jesuit formation and service focus
Cons:
- Lower national ranking than Tulane
- Smaller research footprint
Verdict: The value champion - strong Jesuit education at a net cost well below the sticker price.
3. Centenary College of Louisiana
Type: Private, Liberal Arts (Methodist-affiliated) | Tuition: ~$42,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students wanting a small liberal-arts college with low ratios
Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport is the oldest chartered college west of the Mississippi, enrolling about 600 students with a very low student-faculty ratio near 9:1. Centenary offers strong liberal arts, sciences, and music programs, generous merit aid (including its Trek study-away program), and close faculty mentorship.
Its small size delivers an intimate, high-touch experience.
Pros:
- Very low student-faculty ratio near 9:1
- Strong liberal arts, sciences, and music
- Generous merit aid and the Trek study-away program
- Close faculty mentorship
Cons:
- Small enrollment limits program breadth
- Smaller alumni network than the New Orleans schools
Verdict: A top small liberal-arts choice - intimate, high-touch education with strong aid.
4. Louisiana College / Louisiana Christian University
Type: Private, Christian (Baptist) | Tuition: ~$17,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students seeking an affordable faith-based liberal-arts education
Louisiana Christian University in Pineville is a Baptist-affiliated liberal-arts university enrolling about 1,200 students with a student-faculty ratio near 13:1. It offers programs in education, nursing, business, and biblical studies at notably low private-college tuition, plus a faith-integrated curriculum.
Its affordability and Christian mission are its defining strengths.
Pros:
- Low tuition for a private college
- Faith-integrated curriculum
- Strong education and nursing programs
- Student-faculty ratio near 13:1
Cons:
- Smaller program breadth
- Lower national profile
Verdict: An affordable faith-based standout - Christian liberal arts at accessible private-college tuition.
5. Xavier University of Louisiana
Type: Private, Catholic HBCU | Tuition: ~$26,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students targeting top-tier pre-health and pharmacy pipelines
Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans is the only historically Black Catholic university in the U.S., enrolling about 3,000 students. Xavier is nationally renowned for sending more Black students to medical school than any other university and for its College of Pharmacy.
Strong pre-health advising, a supportive environment, and accessible tuition make it a standout for science-focused students.
Pros:
- Leading pipeline of Black students to medical school
- Renowned College of Pharmacy
- Strong pre-health advising and support
- Accessible private tuition with aid
Cons:
- Heavy STEM/pre-health focus
- Smaller offerings outside the sciences
Verdict: The premier pre-health choice - an unmatched pipeline to medical and pharmacy careers.
6. Loyola University New Orleans College of Music and Media
Type: Private, Catholic (Jesuit) - specialized college | Tuition: ~$48,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students pursuing music industry, jazz, and media careers
Within Loyola University New Orleans, the College of Music and Media is one of the South's strongest programs, leveraging New Orleans's music scene for jazz studies, music industry, and popular/commercial music. Students benefit from industry connections, performance venues, and Jesuit formation.
The program's reputation and location are real differentiators for aspiring musicians and media professionals.
Pros:
- Top-tier music industry and jazz programs
- Unmatched New Orleans music-scene access
- Strong industry connections and venues
- Jesuit formation and small classes
Cons:
- Specialized focus narrows fit
- High sticker tuition before aid
Verdict: The best music-and-media path in Louisiana - built on the New Orleans scene.
7. Our Lady of the Lake College / Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Type: Private, Catholic (Health Sciences) | Tuition: ~$22,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students focused on nursing and allied health careers
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) in Baton Rouge is a Catholic health-sciences university enrolling about 1,200 students, specializing in nursing, respiratory therapy, and allied health. Tied to a major Baton Rouge health system, it offers strong clinical placements, high program-completion rates, and accessible tuition for a focused career path.
Pros:
- Specialized nursing and allied-health focus
- Strong clinical placements via health-system ties
- High program-completion rates
- Accessible private tuition
Cons:
- Narrow program focus
- Limited traditional campus life
Verdict: The top health-sciences specialist - direct path to nursing and allied-health careers.
8. Dillard University
Type: Private, HBCU (United Methodist/UCC) | Tuition: ~$18,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students seeking a supportive HBCU with strong nursing and STEM
Dillard University in New Orleans is a historically Black liberal-arts university enrolling about 1,200 students with a student-faculty ratio near 11:1. Dillard is known for its nursing, physics, and pre-health programs and a strong sense of community on its oak-lined campus.
Accessible tuition, close mentorship, and a supportive environment are hallmarks.
Pros:
- Strong nursing, physics, and pre-health programs
- Student-faculty ratio near 11:1
- Supportive HBCU community
- Accessible tuition with aid
Cons:
- Smaller program breadth
- Modest endowment limits resources
Verdict: A supportive HBCU standout - strong nursing and STEM in a close community.
9. Notre Dame Seminary / Saint Joseph and beyond - University of Holy Cross
Type: Private, Catholic | Tuition: ~$15,000/yr (before aid) | Best for: Students wanting affordable Catholic programs in counseling and health
University of Holy Cross in New Orleans is a Catholic university enrolling about 1,000 students, offering accessible programs in counseling, education, nursing, and business. Among the most affordable private options in the state, it emphasizes small classes and a faith-based mission, with strong graduate counseling and education programs.
Pros:
- Among the most affordable Louisiana privates
- Strong counseling and education programs
- Small classes and faith-based mission
- Accessible graduate offerings
Cons:
- Limited national profile
- Smaller undergraduate program breadth
Verdict: An affordable Catholic standout - accessible programs in counseling, education, and health.
10. Saint Edward - Spring Hill adjacent / Loyola Law and graduate strength via Tulane Law
Type: Private (specialized graduate-strong) | Tuition: varies by program | Best for: Students prioritizing strong professional/graduate pipelines
Rounding out the list, Tulane Law School and Loyola College of Law in New Orleans give Louisiana two of the strongest private law programs in the Gulf South, while Tulane's School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine add nationally regarded graduate pipelines.
For undergraduates eyeing professional school, the presence of these programs strengthens advising, research, and feeder pathways at their parent universities.
Pros:
- Two strong private law schools (Tulane, Loyola)
- Nationally regarded Tulane medicine and public health
- Strong professional-school feeder advising
- Research and internship pipelines
Cons:
- Primarily graduate/professional strength
- Undergraduates benefit indirectly
Verdict: The professional-pipeline pick - strong law, medicine, and public health for graduate-bound students.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College
- Graduation rate and outcomes - A high six-year graduation rate and strong post-grad earnings (check College Scorecard) signal a college that delivers, not just one that admits.
- Net price, not sticker - Generous aid at Loyola, Xavier, and Centenary can make a private cost less than published tuition; always run the net-price calculator.
- Program fit - Xavier for pre-health, Loyola for music and media, FranU for nursing; the right specialized program beats a higher overall ranking.
- Student-faculty ratio - Smaller ratios at Centenary and Dillard mean more mentorship for undergraduates.
- Mission and culture - Jesuit, Methodist, Baptist, and HBCU institutions each carry distinct missions; visit to gauge fit.
- Location - New Orleans offers internship and cultural access; Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Pineville offer different settings and costs.
What matters less than marketing implies: a college's ranking number, its newest building, or its sticker price alone. Net cost, program fit, and graduation outcomes affect a student's return far more.
FAQ
Which private college is the best overall in Louisiana? Tulane University earns the top spot as the state's only nationally ranked private research university, with a six-year graduation rate near 86% and broad, strong programs.
What is the best value private college in Louisiana? Loyola University New Orleans is our best value - generous merit and need aid significantly lower net cost below the sticker price while delivering strong Jesuit education and outcomes.
Which Louisiana private college is best for pre-med? Xavier University of Louisiana is nationally renowned for sending more Black students to medical school than any other university and for its College of Pharmacy; Dillard and Tulane are also strong pre-health options.
Are there HBCUs among Louisiana's private colleges? Yes - Xavier University of Louisiana and Dillard University, both in New Orleans, are private HBCUs with strong pre-health and STEM programs.
Which Louisiana private college is best for music? Loyola University New Orleans has one of the South's strongest music programs through its College of Music and Media, leveraging the New Orleans music scene for jazz, music industry, and commercial music.
How much does a private college in Louisiana cost? Sticker tuition ranges from about $15,000/yr at the most affordable Catholic schools to about $66,000/yr at Tulane before aid; net cost is often far lower thanks to merit and need-based aid.
Bottom Line
For Louisiana families, Tulane University is our Best Overall private college - its R1 research status, broad programs, and graduation rate near 86% set the standard. Loyola University New Orleans is our Best Value, delivering strong Jesuit education at a net cost well below sticker thanks to generous aid.
If your priority is a pre-health pipeline, a small liberal-arts experience, or an affordable faith-based program, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Xavier, Centenary, or Louisiana Christian instead. Choose on net cost, program fit, and outcomes - not a single ranking number - and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Colleges in Louisiana
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Louisiana
- U.S. Department of Education - College Scorecard
- NCES - College Navigator
- Tulane University
- Loyola University New Orleans
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Centenary College of Louisiana
- Dillard University
- Louisiana Board of Regents
*Private colleges in Louisiana review - best private colleges Louisiana, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*