Head-to-head · 2026
University of Louisiana at Lafayette vs University of New Orleans
Compare average net price ($13,530 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette; $12,384 at University of New Orleans), ROI score (8.70 vs 9.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,089 vs $47,872), and admissions selectivity (87% acceptance at University of Louisiana at Lafayette; 74.3% at University of New Orleans) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | University of New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.70 | 9.66 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,530 | $12,384 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $54,120 | $49,536 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,418 | $9,172 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,146 | $14,008 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,089 | $47,872 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 87% | 74.3% |
| Graduation rate | 52.6% ✓ | 38% |
| Retention rate | 74.3% ✓ | 66.8% |
| Median debt | $22,902 | $18,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 12,428 | 4,638 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1219 | 1052 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | University of New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,157 ✓ | $11,532 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,283 | $10,506 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,692 | $13,222 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,079 | $16,942 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,562 | $17,504 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | University of New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.3% | 12% |
| Biology, General | 3.8% | 7.8% |
| Psychology, General | 3.8% | 5.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.5% | 7.1% |
| Computer Science | 3.2% | 4.5% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 1.9% | 3.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2.4% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of New Orleans reports the lower average net price by $1,146 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,584 difference over four years ($49,536 vs $54,120).
University of New Orleans reports $783 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,872 vs $47,089). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.3% at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and 66.8% at University of New Orleans. Median federal debt among completers is $22,902 vs $18,750, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Louisiana at Lafayette vs University of New Orleans, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of New Orleans is cheaper — average net price $12,384 per year vs $13,530 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The annual difference of $1,146 adds up to about $4,584 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of New Orleans reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,872 vs $47,089 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The gap in the federal data is $783. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of New Orleans is more selective at 74.3% acceptance vs 87% at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.