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Xavier University of Louisiana campus

Xavier University of Louisiana

https://www.xula.edu ↗

New Orleans Sunshine Meets Personal Attention and Dance

Xavier University of Louisiana scores 78/100, placing it in the GOOD FIT range but at the lower end. The university excels in environment (1...

78.00
out of 100
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆
MODERATE FIT

AI Recommendation

Xavier University of Louisiana scores 78/100, placing it in the GOOD FIT range but at the lower end. The university excels in environment (19/20) with outstanding sunshine and urban New Orleans location, and provides excellent academic support through small classes (12:1 ratio) and strong faculty mentorship. The dance team walk-on opportunity (9/10) and vibrant social scene enhanced by New Orleans culture are significant positives. However, a critical misalignment exists: Xavier's flagship programs are pharmacy and STEM/pre-health sciences, while the student's primary interests are marketing, business, and pre-law—areas that are not Xavier's signature strengths. The 45-50% six-year graduation rate is concerning and suggests retention challenges. The 75% female student body creates significant gender imbalance. While Xavier provides strong school spirit and is NOT a commuter school as desired, students interested in business/marketing/pre-law fields may find better program strength and career outcomes at institutions where these are core offerings rather than secondary programs.

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Performance vs. Average College

Academic
27.0 -3.0
Avg: 30.0 68% of max
Culture
23.0 +1.0
Avg: 22.0 77% of max
Environment
19.0 +4.0
Avg: 15.0 95% of max
Special
9.0 +1.0
Avg: 8.0 90% of max
This College
Average

Score Breakdown

Academic Profile
27.0 /40 (68%)
Xavier's flagship programs are pharmacy and STEM/pre-health sciences, not the student's primary interests. Business exists through AACSB-accredited programs but is not a standalone business school or signature strength. Psychology is available with pre-professional focus, which is positive. Pre-law advising exists but is not a specialized strength. Pre-physical therapy has strong support through biology/chemistry foundations and excellent pre-health advising. Overall, 3 of 5 academic interests (marketing, business, pre-law) are not Xavier's core strengths, while 2 (psychology, pre-PT) align better with the institution's mission.
Program Strength
5.0 /10
Xavier's flagship programs are pharmacy and STEM/pre-health sciences, not the student's primary interests. Business exists through AACSB-accredited programs but is not a standalone business school or signature strength. Psychology is available with pre-professional focus, which is positive. Pre-law advising exists but is not a specialized strength. Pre-physical therapy has strong support through biology/chemistry foundations and excellent pre-health advising. Overall, 3 of 5 academic interests (marketing, business, pre-law) are not Xavier's core strengths, while 2 (psychology, pre-PT) align better with the institution's mission.
Student Faculty
9.0 /10
Excellent 12:1 student-faculty ratio with average class sizes of 18-22 students and upper-level courses often 10-15 students. This directly meets the student's need for teacher support and smaller classes. Teaching-focused institution with mentorship model and close faculty interaction provides the personalized attention requested.
Applied Learning
7.0 /10
Strong hands-on learning emphasis with undergraduate research opportunities and experiential learning. Internship partnerships in New Orleans particularly strong for healthcare, business, and STEM fields. Summer research programs available. However, applied learning opportunities are most robust in health sciences rather than business/marketing fields where student shows primary interest.
Career Prep
6.0 /10
Exceptional career preparation for health professions (medical school acceptance rate 2x national average, high pharmacy placement). However, general career placement data not widely published, and transparency for non-health professions fields is limited. Career services exist with counseling, resume assistance, and job fairs, but the strength is clearly in graduate/professional school preparation for STEM rather than business/marketing career pathways.
Campus Culture
23.0 /30 (77%)
Strong HBCU pride and traditions with active homecoming celebrations and close-knit community atmosphere. Basketball games draw crowds. However, NAIA athletics (not NCAA) means smaller-scale sports culture, and there is no large football program. 70%+ students live on/near campus confirming NOT a commuter school, which meets student requirements. Retention rate of 70-75% is moderate, suggesting decent but not exceptional community engagement.
School Spirit
7.0 /10
Strong HBCU pride and traditions with active homecoming celebrations and close-knit community atmosphere. Basketball games draw crowds. However, NAIA athletics (not NCAA) means smaller-scale sports culture, and there is no large football program. 70%+ students live on/near campus confirming NOT a commuter school, which meets student requirements. Retention rate of 70-75% is moderate, suggesting decent but not exceptional community engagement.
Social Scene
8.0 /10
Vibrant social scene significantly enhanced by New Orleans location with French Quarter, music venues, and festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Moderate weekend activity on campus with active student organizations and cultural events. Strong community bonds within the close-knit environment. The city provides an active social scene that compensates for the small campus size (3,200 students, 23-acre campus).
Greek Life
8.0 /10
Active Divine Nine (historically Black Greek organizations) presence with approximately 8-12% student involvement. This represents a significant but not dominant social influence, which aligns well with student preference for Greek life presence without it being overwhelming. Appropriate balance for campus social life.
Location & Environment
19.0 /20 (95%)
Excellent urban location in New Orleans, 3 miles from French Quarter, meeting the student's preference for urban or near-city setting. Vibrant cultural hub with music, food, festivals, and entertainment. Public transit available (RTA buses and streetcar), Louis Armstrong Airport 15 miles away. Some areas require safety awareness, but overall provides the urban accessibility desired. New Orleans offers nature access through City Park (1,300 acres), Audubon Park, Lake Pontchartrain, and Gulf Coast beaches 1 hour away.
Location
9.0 /10
Excellent urban location in New Orleans, 3 miles from French Quarter, meeting the student's preference for urban or near-city setting. Vibrant cultural hub with music, food, festivals, and entertainment. Public transit available (RTA buses and streetcar), Louis Armstrong Airport 15 miles away. Some areas require safety awareness, but overall provides the urban accessibility desired. New Orleans offers nature access through City Park (1,300 acres), Audubon Park, Lake Pontchartrain, and Gulf Coast beaches 1 hour away.
Climate
10.0 /10
Outstanding climate match with approximately 205 sunny days per year and subtropical humid climate. Average temperature 70°F with hot summers and mild winters. This directly addresses the student's stated love of sunshine. Nature access includes nearby parks, lake access, Gulf beaches, and swamp tours. Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities despite limited hiking in the immediate area.
Special Requirements
9.0 /10 (90%)
Xavier Gold Nugget Dance Team performs at basketball games and university events with NAIA Division I athletics. Walk-on opportunities typically available through tryouts held at beginning of academic year. Direct contact information provided (Athletic Department: 504-520-7301 or athletics@xula.edu). This clearly meets the student's special interest requirement with accessible walk-on opportunities.
Dance Team
9.0 /10
Xavier Gold Nugget Dance Team performs at basketball games and university events with NAIA Division I athletics. Walk-on opportunities typically available through tryouts held at beginning of academic year. Direct contact information provided (Athletic Department: 504-520-7301 or athletics@xula.edu). This clearly meets the student's special interest requirement with accessible walk-on opportunities.

Top Strengths 6

  • 1 Outstanding climate with 205 sunny days/year and 70°F average temperature in vibrant New Orleans location
  • 2 Excellent 12:1 student-faculty ratio with class sizes of 18-22 students providing requested teacher support
  • 3 Walk-on dance team opportunities available with Xavier Gold Nugget Dance Team
  • 4 Strong school spirit and HBCU pride with 70%+ residential population (NOT a commuter school)
  • 5 Vibrant social scene enhanced by New Orleans culture, music, festivals, and entertainment
  • 6 Urban location with nature access through City Park, Audubon Park, and Gulf Coast proximity

Things to Consider 6

  • 1 Business, marketing, and pre-law are NOT signature programs—Xavier's strengths are pharmacy and STEM/health sciences
  • 2 Low 45-50% six-year graduation rate indicates significant retention and completion challenges
  • 3 Career placement transparency limited for non-health professions; strongest outcomes in medical/pharmacy fields
  • 4 Very high acceptance rate (95%+) indicates less selective academic environment
  • 5 75% female student body creates substantial gender imbalance (25% male)
  • 6 Limited on-campus dining options with mixed food quality reviews

Detailed Research

Internships

Strong internship partnerships in New Orleans, particularly in healthcare, business, and STEM fields. Summer research programs and experiential learning emphasized

Avg Class Size

Average class size 18-22 students, upper-level courses often 10-15 students

Teaching Style

Primarily teaching-focused institution with hands-on learning, research opportunities for undergraduates, mentorship model with close faculty interaction

Academic Support

Comprehensive academic support including tutoring centers, writing center, STEM learning center, peer mentoring, academic advising, and pre-professional advising programs

Career Placement

High placement rates for health professions (medical/pharmacy school acceptance rates above national average). General career placement data not widely published

Program Rankings

  • Pre-law advising available through liberal arts curriculum, no dedicated law school
  • AACSB-accredited College of Arts and Sciences offers business programs, but not a standalone business school
  • Ranked #1 HBCU pharmacy program, top producer of African American pharmacists
  • Top producer of African American students accepted to medical school nationally
  • Strong psychology program within liberal arts, pre-professional focus available
  • Strong pre-health professions advising, biology/chemistry foundation for PT programs

Student Faculty Ratio

12:1

Greek Life

Active Divine Nine (historically Black Greek organizations) presence, approximately 8-12% of students involved. Significant but not dominant social influence

Social Scene

Vibrant social scene enhanced by New Orleans location - French Quarter, music venues, festivals. Campus organizations, cultural events, service activities. Strong community bonds

School Spirit

Strong HBCU pride and traditions, active homecoming celebrations, basketball games draw crowds, close-knit community atmosphere. Not a large football culture (NAIA athletics)

Retention Rate

70-75% freshman retention rate

Graduation Rate

45-50% six-year graduation rate

Weekend Activity

Moderate weekend activity - NOT a commuter school (70%+ students live on/near campus), but New Orleans attractions draw students off-campus. Campus events, student organizations active

Political Climate

Generally moderate to liberal, socially conscious student body, strong emphasis on social justice and community service, faith-based Catholic identity influences campus culture

Setting

Urban campus in New Orleans, Louisiana - Gert Town neighborhood, 3 miles from French Quarter, compact 23-acre campus

Sunny Days

Approximately 205 sunny days per year, subtropical humid climate, hot summers, mild winters, average temp 70°F

Nature Access

City Park (1,300 acres) nearby with trails and greenspace, Audubon Park close, Lake Pontchartrain access, Gulf Coast beaches 1 hour away, swamp tours available, limited hiking but abundant outdoor recreation

Transportation

Public transit (RTA buses and streetcar), rideshare services prevalent, bike-friendly campus, car helpful but not essential, campus shuttle services available

Nearest Airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) - approximately 15 miles/20-30 minutes from campus

Surrounding Area

New Orleans - vibrant cultural hub with music, food, festivals (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), diverse neighborhoods, historic architecture, entertainment districts, some areas require safety awareness

Dance Team

Xavier Gold Nugget Dance Team - performs at basketball games and university events, NAIA Division I athletics. Walk-on opportunities typically available through tryouts held at beginning of academic year

Recreation

  • Student activities center, outdoor recreation access through New Orleans location
  • Convocation Center with fitness center, basketball courts, recreation programs
  • Intramural sports offered including basketball, volleyball, flag football, fitness classes

Food Quality

Mixed reviews - main dining hall (The Cafe) offers standard institutional fare, limited dining options on small campus, New Orleans restaurant scene easily accessible off-campus compensates

Campus Beauty

Compact urban campus with some green spaces, mix of historic and modern buildings, St. Katharine Drexel Chapel is architectural centerpiece, functional rather than sprawling/picturesque, ongoing renovation projects

Housing Quality

Mixed quality - newer residence halls (St. Joseph, St. Katharine Drexel) are modern with amenities, older dorms more basic. Housing guaranteed for freshmen, many upperclassmen live off-campus in surrounding neighborhoods

Dance Team Contact

Athletic Department: (504) 520-7301 or athletics@xula.edu for dance team coach contact information and tryout details

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Data Quality & Confidence

Confidence Level
MEDIUM 75/100
Last Updated
Oct 25, 2025
1 week ago
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